Tina Amanda
A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has granted the order of stay execution in a suit filed by the Rivers State government seeking to set aside the judgment that released one hundred and fifty inmates from Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.
The presiding Judge, Justice Chiwendu Nwogu, in his ruling granted the stay of execution, after going through motions filed by parties in the matter.
Justice Nwogu upheld the motion filed by the Respondent seeking to set aside the judgement earlier delivered by Justice Ollor, pending the decision of the Appeal Court.
Recall that on 16 December 2020, Justice Ollor of Port Harcourt High Court, had delivered a judgment releasing one hundred and fifty inmates after they had spent more than eight to nine years in prison custody without appearing in court since they were remanded.
The Rivers state government had filed a motion challenging the Judgement delivered by Justice Ollor for the unconditional release of the one hundred and fifty inmates in Port Harcourt maximum prison.
In an interview with our correspondent, Counsel representing State government, Chukwuma Eke, said they had filed an appeal challenging the decision of the earlier order delivered in 2018, which the court also believe it is best to stay the execution, stressing that both parties will test the judgement at the Appeal court.
Also, Applicant Counsel Nasiru Ibiloye, said they will appeal against the decision of the Court.
