BY ODAFE ISHARO
AS part of efforts to ensure the efficient handling of cases and timely dispensation of justice, the Chief judge of Delta State,. Justice Theresa Diai, has reviewed a total of 460 cases of inmates awaiting trial in Warri and Sapele Custodial Centres.
Speaking to journalists during the prison visit to Sapele Custodial Centre, Justice Diai stated that a total of 313 warrant of inmates awaiting trials were reviewed in the Warri Custodial Centre, 147 in Sapele Custodial Centre while the visit also extended to the Sapele Remand Home/Children Correctional centre adding that no inmates were released.
The Chief Judge, who visited the facilities, was accompanied by judges, magistrates, the Chief Registrar, the Director of Public Prosecutions, law officers from the Ministry of Justice, the Nigeria Police and the representative from the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) among others.
During the visit, Diai said that the tour was a routine exercise to review cases of inmates awaiting trials, with a view to ensuring that justice was served, and no individuals unjustly held in any of the Custodial Centres in the state beyond the lawful period or without proper charges.
“The exercise was not aimed at mass releases of inmates but towards ensuring fairness, legality in detention and speedy trial. We don’t want a situation where individuals are detained without charges or held longer than they should , adding that once a case is in court, the Chief Judge has limited powers except to guide the trial Judges or Magistrates”, she said.
Justice Diai expressed deep satisfaction with the outcome of the exercise, commended the judges handling the cases, the Deputy Controllers of corrections, Warri and Sapele Custodial Centres and the Department of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice, as well as every other person involved in the exercise for their efforts in ensuring the success of the visit and their diligence in Prosecution of the matters.
Diai reaffirmed the Judiciary commitment to upholding justice, assuring that the exercise would continue at the Agbor, Kwale and Ogwashi-uku Custodial Centre to end the third quarter prisons visitation.
She urged the deputy Controllers of the Correctional Centres and the Judges to take advantage of the Virtue -Court Hearing System being installed by the Ministry of Justice in High Courts and Custodial Centres across the state.
In their speeches, Deputy Controller of Correction in Warri, Mr Okemeomia Richard and Deputy Controller, Sapele Custodial Centre, Mr M. A Egbe, expressed their gratitude to the state Judiciary and Ministry of Justice for their ongoing efforts to reduce overcrowding in the facilities.
They expressed concern about the rising number of young inmates, aged 18-30, being admitted to the Correctional centres during this period. They also urged for clarification on the issue of inmates with the option of fine, which has created confusion in some courts in the state.
While acknowledging the collaboration between the Correctional centres, Ministry of Justice, and Judiciary, they also highlighted the challenges faced by the facilities, such as inadequate resources and shortage of manpower.
