The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, has granted pardon to 181 inmates from the state’s three correctional facilities.
On Friday, the CJ announced this at the conclusion of a two-day goal delivery exercise at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Center.
He explained that the exercise was part of an effort to “decongest” the state’s correctional facilities.
The exercise, according to the Chief Judge, who was represented by the Deputy Chief Registrar, Litigation, Meneme Friday Poronon, was a prelude to “the 2022/2023 state legal year ceremony.”
He went on to say that the inmates who were granted pardons were also “discharged and acquainted” with their crimes.
Chief Magistrate Poronon also revealed that the CJ will conduct another round of goal delivery exercises on March 22, 2023, as part of activities planned to “herald the 2022/2023 legal year” in the state.
He also advised the newly released inmates to turn a new leaf and be responsible, noting that the gesture was part of the new measures put in place to “reform the judiciary and criminal justice administration.”
Those released were those facing minor charges and those awaiting trials.
