The Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Tessy Diai, on Saturday ordered the acquaintance of four inmates from the Sapele Medium Security Custodial Centre.
Persons released include Sampson Oghenegweke, Odi Oghenervwe, Obakporo Oghorodi and Abdulahi Karimu, who were among the 661 cases awaiting trials and reviewed by Justice Diai.
The inmates were held in custody for offences including alleged murder, rape, conspiracy, among others.
Justice Diai said the total number of inmates released from the Warri and Sapele Custodial Centres visited were about nine, while 661 cases of awaiting trials were reviewed.
In the review, Oghenegweke’s counsel, Mr Kingsley Otoghile, from the Legal Aid Council in Warri, argued that keeping his client in custody for three-and-half years without trial discredited the letters of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Delta State, 2017 which provides for speedy dispensation of justice.
“Having recourse to the antecedent of my client who was charged for an alleged unlawful carnal knowledge, and with information by Director of Public Prosecution to the effect that no witness had come to testify since his detention, the defendant deserved to be discharged in the interest of justice.
“The Chief Judge, having carefully examined the facts of Oghenegweke’s case and taking into cognisance of DPP’s legal opinion, discharged the inmate,” he said.
