In an effort to promote fairness, ease prison congestion, and ensure the timely administration of justice, the Chief Judge of Delta State, Hon. Justice Theresa Diai, has conducted a review of 460 cases involving inmates awaiting trial at the Warri and Sapele Custodial Centres.
Justice Diai, accompanied by a team of judges, magistrates, senior judicial officers, and representatives from the Ministry of Justice and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), shared this update during her judicial visitation to the Sapele Custodial Centre on Tuesday.
She explained that the review covered 313 cases in Warri and 147 cases in Sapele, including visits to the Sapele Remand Home/Children Correctional Centre. No inmates were released during the exercise.
The Chief Judge emphasized that the visitation is part of a routine judicial review aimed at ensuring that no one is unlawfully detained in the state’s correctional facilities. She also noted that the third-quarter visitation will continue in the coming weeks at the Agbor, Kwale, and Ogwashi-Uku Custodial Centres.
Justice Diai praised the judiciary, correctional officers, prosecutors, and other stakeholders in the justice sector for their professionalism and dedication. She reiterated the judiciary’s commitment to delivering justice through due process and strict adherence to the rule of law. She also encouraged correctional officers and judges to adopt the Virtual Court Hearing System, currently being implemented by the Delta State Ministry of Justice across high courts and custodial centres, to accelerate case hearings and minimize delays.
In their remarks, Mr. Okemeomia E. Richard, Deputy Controller of Corrections in Warri, and Mr. M.A. Egbe, Deputy Controller in Sapele, expressed gratitude to the judiciary and Ministry of Justice for their ongoing collaboration in addressing prison congestion. They highlighted, however, concerns over the growing number of young inmates aged 18 to 30 entering the correctional system and called for clearer guidelines regarding cases with fines, which they said had caused confusion in some courts. Both officers also appealed for additional resources and manpower, noting that overcrowding and limited staff remain major challenges.
Justice Diai’s visit underscores the Delta State Judiciary’s continued efforts to enhance access to justice, protect human rights, and promote transparency within the state’s judicial and correctional systems.
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