A man identified as Gospel Nwibari has been released from the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre after spending 18 years in detention without trial.
Nwibari’s case highlighted the protracted delays within Nigeria’s justice system.
His freedom came as part of a jail delivery exercise initiated by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, which saw 21 inmates gain their liberty.
Nwibari’s ordeal, which began with his arrest at the tender age of 14 in 2007, stood out amongst those freed.
He reportedly remained incarcerated without any formal trial proceedings or access to legal representation for nearly two decades.
His story became a focal point during the launch of the exercise, which is anchored on the Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, aiming to alleviate prison congestion and rectify profound procedural delays.
Justice Amadi explained that many of the released inmates lacked case files or discernible charges against them.
While acknowledging that some faced accusations of grave offences like murder and armed robbery, he emphasised the fundamental principle of due process.
He said many of the inmates had no case files and no means to trace the charges against them.
He said continuing to detain them serves no justice purpose.
The Chief Judge affirmed that all releases were contingent on verification by the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) and were recommended by correctional authorities after comprehensive case reviews.
The Chief Judge also offered counsel to the newly released individuals, urging them to embrace a new path and steer clear of further criminal activities.
He acknowledged the potential difficulties they might face, particularly in communities still grappling with the alleged offences, stating, ‘Society may not always be forgiving. But the law must remain just and humane.’
Felix Madumere, the Controller of Corrections for Rivers State, who was present at the event, raised a critical alarm about the severe overcrowding in prison facilities.
He noted that the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre, originally designed to accommodate 1,800 inmates, currently houses over 2,500, leading to significant logistical and human rights challenges.
Related: Rivers Chief Judge Pledges Prison Decongestion, Frees 21 Awaiting Trial Inmates
Madumere warned that ‘If the state fails to act, we may be forced to halt inmate admissions temporarily to prevent a system breakdown.’
The release of Nwibari brought an emotional climax to the day. His brother, Paul Kinani, tearfully recounted that the family had presumed the Gospel dead after years of futile searching.
Kinani confirmed plans to seek immediate medical attention for Nwibari, who showed signs of untreated mental health issues.
Barrister Cyrus Onu, President of Haven360 Foundation, the legal advocacy group that unearthed the Nwibari case in 2020, hailed his release as a significant achievement in their efforts for criminal justice reform.
Onu pledged the foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of released inmates, especially those suffering from psychological trauma or displacement.
Justice Amadi reiterated the judiciary’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding detainees’ rights and reforming systemic inefficiencies within the criminal justice system, assuring that
The event was attended by various stakeholders from the Ministry of Justice, Nigerian Correctional Service, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and numerous legal aid and human rights organisations, all united in their pursuit of restoring hope, dignity, and lawful order to those neglected by the system.
