CJ frees seven prisoners, reviews 1,228 cases
The Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Tessy Diai, has released seven awaiting-trial inmates following her first-quarter visits to custodial centres across the state.
During the visit, she also reviewed a total of 1,228 warrants.
Addressing stakeholders at the Ogwashi Uku Custodial Centre on Friday, Justice Diai explained that the release of the inmates was based on legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Anthony Orhorhorho, who confirmed that the inmates had no case to answer.
Justice Diai summarised the exercise, which began at the Warri Correctional Centre on March 10, 2025, stating that 350 warrants were reviewed there, with one person released.
“In Sapele, 138 warrants were reviewed, but no one was released. At Sapele Remand Home, 10 warrants were reviewed, with no releases,” Justice Diai said.
The visit continued in Kwale, where 181 warrants were reviewed, leading to the release of one individual after spending a significant amount of time in custody on charges of arson and kidnapping.
NCoS denies releasing inmates for robbery operations in Delta
In Agbor, 135 warrants were reviewed, but no releases occurred.
The exercise culminated at Ogwashi Uku, where a total of 428 warrants were reviewed, resulting in five people regaining their freedom.
In total, 1,228 warrants were reviewed during the visit, leading to the release of seven inmates.
Justice Diai commended the DPP for their diligence and hard work, which facilitated the quicker and smoother dispensation of justice in the state. She emphasized that the primary goal of the visits was to ensure that custody cases were progressing efficiently through the courts.
One of the released inmates at the Ogwashi Uku Correctional Center, Mr. Chukwuemeka Ugwu, expressed his gratitude.
He shared that he had been arrested on charges of robbery and kidnapping—crimes he insisted he had not committed—and thanked the Chief Judge for granting his release.
