Rivers Chief Judge releases inmates from Port Harcourt prison
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Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Nigeria, ordered the release of 14 inmates from the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Custodial Centre.
He conducted the jail delivery as part of the opening of the 2026/2027 legal year for the Rivers State Judiciary. Chibuzor-Amadi explained that the releases were authorized by both federal and state laws intended to correct injustices and reduce overcrowding in the prison system.
The Chief Judge released inmates who had served time exceeding the maximum sentence for their alleged crimes, as well as those whose cases had stalled due to failures within the police force, security agencies, or the judiciary. He stated that people should not suffer in custody because of issues with case files or bureaucratic delays. Chibuzor-Amadi also cautioned prison officials against sharing information about the released inmates with those remaining in custody to avoid unrest.
He advised the released individuals to avoid crime and political violence as they reintegrated into society, warning that a return to the facility would likely mean no further chances for freedom. Richard Moses-Williams, the Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Rivers State, praised the Chief Judge’s actions and the positive impact on the custodial centre.
