The Chief Judge of Delta State, Hon. Justice Theresa Diai, has ordered the release of five awaiting-trial inmates during her third-quarter inspection of custodial centres across the state.
The exercise is part of ongoing efforts to ensure fair detention practices, uphold the law, and fast-track the justice process.
Speaking at the Ogwashi-Uku Custodial Centre on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Justice Diai said the decision followed legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), who confirmed that the five inmates had no case to answer.
Those released are Sunday Okoh (41) and Sunday Emmanuel (41), both from Otulu; Uche Nduka (38); Bala Bongah (23); and Orji Chinedu Martins (45). The Chief Judge noted that the review exercise began at the Warri Correctional Centre on November 3, 2025, during which 1,190 warrants were examined across all facilities visited.
At Warri, 313 warrants were reviewed with no releases recommended. The Sapele Custodial Centre had 147 warrants reviewed, and four cases at the Sapele Remand Home were also assessed again with no inmates freed. The same outcome was recorded at Kwale, where 153 warrants were reviewed, and at Agbor, where 191 warrants were examined.
However, at Ogwashi-Uku the final stop 382 warrants were reviewed, leading to the release of the five inmates after the DPP advised that the charges against them could not be sustained.
Justice Diai praised the judges, the DPP’s office, deputy controllers of the custodial centres, and other stakeholders for their cooperation throughout the review. She emphasized that the goal of the quarterly exercise is not to release large numbers of inmates, but to ensure that no one remains in detention without lawful grounds.
One of the released inmates, Sunday Okoh, expressed deep gratitude to the Chief Judge and the DPP. He said he had been detained since August 4, 2025, over allegations of conspiracy and promoting inter-communal violence offences he insisted he never committed. He thanked Justice Diai for giving him back his freedom and a second chance at life.
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