No fewer than 23 inmates have been released from correctional centres in Rivers State as part of a jail delivery exercise designed to ease congestion in custodial facilities across the state.
Of those freed, 18 were released from the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre, while five regained their freedom from the Ahoada Correctional Centre after magistrates reviewed their cases.
The Chief Registrar of the Rivers State Judiciary, David Ihua-Maduenyi, disclosed the development in a statement dated July 24, 2026, stating that the exercise took place on July 22.
The statement, which was made available to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, noted that the jail delivery exercise was conducted on the directive of the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi.
The statement noted that the exercise marked the first phase of the 2026 prison decongestion programme, adding that the judiciary would continue periodic case reviews to protect the rights of detainees and promote access to justice across the state.
The statement read, “Sequel to the directive of the Honourable, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, for the decongestion of custodial facilities across the state, the Rivers State Judiciary has successfully carried out its first phase of the 2026 Prison Decongestion Exercise.
“The exercise, which took place on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, saw magistrates visit correctional centres in Port Harcourt, Ahoada and Degema to review the cases of inmates and ensure that deserving persons were not kept in custody beyond what the law permits.
“Following the review, a total of twenty-three (23) inmates were released from the correctional centres.
“The Port Harcourt Correctional Centre accounted for eighteen (18) releases, while five (5) inmates were released from the Ahoada Correctional Centre. No inmate was released from the Degema Correctional Centre.
“This exercise was conducted by Chief Magistrates Menenen F. Poromon, Ilanye D. Brown, N. N. Nnee, Obiareri N. Anugbum, and Senior Magistrates Wobia C. Akanie, Harold B. Nwinee and Thankgod Ndukwu.
“The Rivers State Judiciary remains committed to promoting access to justice, protecting the rights of detainees, and supporting efforts aimed at reducing congestion in correctional facilities in the state through periodic reviews and other justice sector interventions.”
