Man Regains Freedom After 18 Years in Detention Without Trial in Rivers

• Gospel Nwibari, who had spent 18 years in custody without trial after being arrested in 2007 at the age of 14.

• His case, lacking legal representation and formal charges, spotlighted the systemic delays in Nigeria’s justice system.

In a major step toward prison reform, Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, on Thursday released 21 inmates from the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre as part of the state’s jail delivery initiative.

Among those freed was Gospel Nwibari, who had spent 18 years in custody without trial after being arrested in 2007 at the age of 14. His case, lacking legal representation and formal charges, spotlighted the systemic delays in Nigeria’s justice system.

The jail delivery is part of ongoing efforts under the Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice Law to ease overcrowding and ensure due process.

Justice Amadi noted that several of the released inmates had no case files or credible charges, despite facing serious accusations like murder and armed robbery.

“Many of these inmates had no case files and no means to trace the charges against them. Continuing to detain them serves no justice purpose,” he stated.

Justice Amadi said the releases followed DPP reviews and urged the freed inmates to reform, noting reintegration may be tough.

“Society may not always be forgiving. But the law must remain just and humane,” he said.

Felix Madumere revealed that the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre, built for 1,800 inmates, is now overcrowded with over 2,500.

“If the state fails to act, we may be forced to halt inmate admissions temporarily to prevent a system breakdown,” Madumere cautioned.