Gospel Nwibari arrested in 2007 at the age of 14 has been released after 18 years behind bars without trial. He was thrown behind bars without access to legal representation or a formal trial following his arrest in 2007.
He was released after the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, on Thursday launched the state’s jail delivery exercise with the release of 21 inmates from the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.
His case drew attention during the exercise, which is part of a broader initiative under the Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice Law aimed at prison decongestion and legal reform. Justice Amadi said several of the inmates freed had no case files or verifiable charges against them.
While some were initially accused of serious crimes such as murder and armed robbery, the chief judge emphasized the need for due process.
“Many of these inmates had no case files and no means to trace the charges against them.
Continuing to detain them serves no justice purpose,” he stated. He stressed that all releases were made based on recommendations from correctional authorities and verification by the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) following thorough case reviews.
Justice Amadi also addressed the released inmates directly, encouraging them to embrace a new path and warning that reintegration into society could be difficult.
“Society may not always be forgiving. But the law must remain just and humane,” he said.
Felix Madumere, Controller of Corrections for Rivers State, also raised concerns about the critical state of the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre. Originally designed to house 1,800 inmates, the facility now holds over 2,500. “If the state fails to act, we may be forced to halt inmate admissions temporarily to prevent a system breakdown,” Madumere cautioned.
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