The Rivers State Judiciary has released 23 inmates from correctional centres across the state in the first phase of its 2026 prison decongestion exercise aimed at easing overcrowding and promoting speedy justice.

The exercise, conducted on July 22, was carried out on the directive of the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure that inmates are not detained beyond the period permitted by law.

A statement issued by the Chief Registrar of the High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi, said Chief Magistrates and Senior Magistrates visited the Port Harcourt, Ahoada and Degema Correctional Centres to review the cases of inmates eligible for release.

According to the statement, 18 inmates were released from the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre, while five others regained their freedom from the Ahoada Correctional Centre. No inmate was released from the Degema Correctional Centre following the review.

The exercise was conducted by Chief Magistrates Menenen F. Poromon, Ilanye D. Brown, N. N. Nnee and Obiareri N. Anugbum, alongside Senior Magistrates Wobia C. Akanie, Harold B. Nwinee and ThankGod Ndukwu.

The judiciary said the decongestion exercise reflects its commitment to improving access to justice, protecting the rights of detainees and reducing congestion in correctional facilities through periodic case reviews and other criminal justice interventions.

It added that similar exercises would continue as part of broader efforts to strengthen the administration of justice and ensure that custodial centres accommodate only inmates whose continued detention is legally justified.