Forty-nine inmates at the Port Harcourt Prisons have been granted pardon by the Rivers State Government.
They include inmates who have been awaiting trial for minor offences since 2010, as well as others who could not meet their bail condition and have stopped appearing in court.
The prisoners were released as a mark of goodwill by the government for the celebration of Rivers State at 50.
The gesture was extended to the inmates by the State Chief Judge, Justice Adamma Iyayi-Lamikanra during a special court session at the prisons.
In her address, Justice Lamikanra said the jail delivery exercise was in accordance with provisions of the Criminal Justice Law of Nigeria.
Justice Laminkanra said those pardoned had remorse while in prison custody, just as she promised to carry out periodic release of inmates to decongest the prison.
She said, “In consonance with time honoured judicial exercise, a State Chief Judge carries out yearly or quarterly jail delivery exercise as contained in and mandated by the Provision of the Criminal Justice (Release from Custody) (Special Provisions) Act Cap 40, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“The concept of jubilee dates back to biblical times where people in bondage receive mercy and are set at liberty as part of the celebration.
“This gaol delivery exercise embarked by me today, May 9, 2012, is a special one; it is done in commemoration of or to mark Golden Jubilee celebration of Rivers State
“Rivers State is 50 years old, having been created in May, 1967. This jail delivery exercise is part of the activities or events marking the Rivers State Golden Jubilee celebration.
“For my part, this celebration is now brought to awaiting trial inmates under the Act as they are part of our society who should partake and share the toy of the Rivers State Golden Jubilee celebration.”
The Chief Judge charged the freed inmates to ensure that they do not commit crimes that could see them return to prison, but to engage in meaningful activities that would make the society to trust them again.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Comptroller of Prison in Rivers State, Loveday Omu, said the major problem in the facility was the influx of awaiting trial inmates.
The Port Harcourt Prison was built for 804 inmates, but currently houses close to 4000.
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