The Chief Judge of Rivers state, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, has granted pardon to 53 inmates facing various charges in an effort to decongest the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre and as part of the activities marking the start of the 2023/2024 legal year in Rivers state.

The Chief Judge’s decision aligns with the provisions of section 34, Sub-section 1 of the Criminal Justice Law of Rivers State and the special provision act of the Laws of the Federation.

These legal frameworks empower the Chief Judge to visit the correctional center, assess the number of inmates in custody, their duration of incarceration, and identify those deserving of a pardon.

During the exercise, the Chief Judge took the opportunity to call on law enforcement, emphasizing the need for thorough investigations before charging a suspect to court.

He expressed concern about instances where individuals charged with minor offenses end up facing more serious charges.

He said, “Somebody will steal, and the police will charge them for armed robbery instead of stealing. Sometimes when people recover their stolen property, they are not ready to continue the matter in court.”

Addressing the released inmates, the Chief Judge advised them to lead lives of good conduct, stating, “I came here for an exercise just to make you better citizens. No one wants you to die, you have learned something here. Please, I beg you all to leave evil and cultism. As you return to your communities, let the change be seen in you; don’t revert to your previous ways. Seek out productive activities such as farming, fishing, or acquiring vocational skills.”

He encouraged them to be self-reliant, saying, “Think for yourself; if you are industrious, people will assist you when they see your determination. Change because you may not have a second chance, and if you do, it might not be business as usual.”

The Comptroller of the State Correctional Service, Felix Lawrence, commended the state’s criminal justice system administration for effectively reducing the population at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Service.

He noted that when he assumed office in June, there were over 4,000 inmates, but this number has since decreased by a thousand.

The inmates who received pardons were those who had been in the correctional center for durations of five to nine years and were awaiting trial inmates with no charges filed against them by the Department of Public Prosecution in the High Court.