By Merciful Omoba
A man who spent 18 years in detention without trial has been freed as part of the Rivers State jail delivery exercise.
The freed inmate, Gospel Nwibari, was arrested in 2007 at age 14 and held in the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre without trial or legal representation.
His case drew attention during the prison decongestion initiative flagged off by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, who released 21 inmates.
Justice Amadi noted that many inmates had no case files or traceable charges, stressing that prolonged detention without trial defeats the essence of justice.
The releases were recommended by correctional authorities and subject to Department of Public Prosecution verification.
Rivers State Controller of Corrections, Felix Madumere, decried overcrowding, revealing the facility built for 1,800 now holds over 2,500 inmates.
