By Abel Johngold Orheruata, mnipr

In a bid to decongest custodial centers and ensure justice for awaiting trial inmates, the Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Tessy Diai, has reviewed 336 cases during her prison visitation and tour at the Warri Custodial Center on Monday, March 10, 2025.

The Chief Judge was accompanied by the State Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary (PS), the Deputy Comptroller of the Warri Custodial Center, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and other senior officials of the Delta State Ministry of Justice.

During the visit, Justice Diai reiterated her commitment to ensuring that awaiting trial inmates are promptly taken to court and tried. She noted that the number of inmates awaiting trial has significantly reduced over the years, attributing it to the judiciary’s efforts in expediting case reviews and prosecutions.“Since we started these visits, the number of awaiting trial inmates has drastically dropped. There was a time we had to stay in Warri for three days; then it reduced to two, then one, and now, even half a day. This shows the progress we have made,” she stated.

She, however, acknowledged that prison congestion is no longer solely caused by awaiting trial inmates. She pointed out that there are over 300 inmates at the Warri Custodial Center, including those on death row, whose cases require a separate intervention through the prerogative of mercy committee.

Out of the 336 cases reviewed, one inmate—a 24-year-old motorcycle rider from Aladja, Ughelli South—was released based on the advice of the DPP. However, at the Sapele Custodial Center, where 138 warrants were reviewed, no inmate was granted bail or released.

Justice Diai appealed to lawyers and prosecutors to show greater commitment to handling cases diligently. She expressed concerns over delays caused by lawyers who abandon cases, leading to prolonged trials.“If you take up a matter, you should be committed to concluding it. Many cases are stalled because lawyers do not take them seriously. If you are assigned a case, you must demonstrate diligence and professionalism,” she urged.

Justice Diai also addressed calls for relocating magistrates from Bomadi, Orogun, Patani, Agbaraotor, and Okpokunu to sit in Warri for trials. She noted that while three magistrate courts already sit at the Warri Custodial Center, adding five more might pose scheduling challenges.“If we now have eight courts sitting, when will they all sit? We need to carefully assess what is feasible before making any decisions,” she said.

As part of her ongoing judicial reforms, Justice Diai disclosed that her reviews was proceeding  to the State remand home in Sapele. She commended the efforts of judicial officers and prosecutors in Ughelli and Bomadi, urging similar dedication from legal practitioners in other parts of the state.

She concluded the session by thanking all stakeholders and praying for their safe return.