Some inmates serving jail term at the Ahoada and Port Harcourt Correctional facilities in Rivers State have been set free, as part of ongoing efforts to decongest the over polluted prisons in the State.
The inmates numbering 22 inmates, who had their fines fully paid by the State Government, were asked to “go home and sin no more.”
It is worthy to note that the 22 inmates released have had their cases determined and were given option of fines below one million naira.
Speaking during the exercise at the Port Harcourt Correctional Center, Chief Magistrate, Rita Oguguo, who represented the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi revealed that the gesture by the state government is part of resolution of a meeting between the Minister of Interior and Governors of the states towards decongesting Nigeria Correctional facilities.
She advised the beneficiaries to be responsible citizens to the society, stating that they may not be lucky to have the opportunity given to them if they are found in the prison again.
However, in his goodwill message, the state comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Center, Alex Oditah, commended the Rivers State Government and the State judiciary for their continuous effort aimed at decongesting the facilities.
