By Odafe Isharo
The Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Tessy Diai, has granted bail to a 54-year-old inmate, Mr. David Urumebo, on compassionate grounds due to health challenges during a prison visitation exercise at the Warri Custodial Centre.
The release formed part of the ongoing first quarter prison visit for 2026 aimed at reviewing cases of awaiting-trial inmates across custodial facilities in the state.
Urumebo regained his freedom after the Chief Judge reviewed the cases of 325 inmates awaiting trial at the facility.
During the exercise, Justice Diai also discharged and acquitted six inmates — Cletus Edewor, Nwoba Maduabuchi, Otutu Kelechi, Brunu Brizebe, Ebimobowei Akpoegberibo and Mienbi Abai — following recommendations from the magistrate handling their matters that they had already been discharged and acquitted.
Speaking during the visitation, Justice Diai explained that the exercise was part of the judiciary’s routine oversight to ensure that justice is served and that no inmate is unlawfully detained.
“The exercise is not aimed at mass release of inmates but at ensuring fairness, legality in detention and speedy trials,” she said.
“We do not want a situation where individuals are detained without charges or held longer than necessary.”
She noted that once a matter is already before a competent court, the powers of the Chief Judge are limited.
“Where cases are already before the court, the Chief Judge can only guide trial judges or magistrates to ensure that such matters are handled with the urgency they deserve,” she added.
The Chief Judge and her team later proceeded to the Sapele Custodial Centre where 152 warrants were reviewed. However, no inmate was released during the visit.
She also visited the Sapele Remand Home where the cases of eight inmates awaiting trial were examined.
Justice Diai, who led the visitation, was accompanied by judges, magistrates, the Chief Registrar, the Director of Public Prosecutions, law officers from the Ministry of Justice, representatives of the Nigeria Police Force and members of the Nigerian Bar Association.
She expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the exercise and commended judicial officers and correctional authorities for their cooperation.
“I commend the judges handling these matters, the Deputy Controllers of Corrections in Warri and Sapele, the Department of Public Prosecutions and all stakeholders for their dedication and diligence,” she stated.
Justice Diai reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring justice and fairness in the criminal justice system, adding that the visitation would continue at other facilities in the state.
“We will also be visiting custodial centres in Agbor, Kwale and Ogwashi-Uku as we conclude the first quarter prison visits for 2026,” she said.
She further urged correctional officers and judicial officers to utilise the Virtual Court Hearing System being installed by the Delta State Ministry of Justice to facilitate faster trial processes.
Earlier in their separate welcome addresses, the Deputy Controller of Corrections at the Warri Custodial Centre, Mr. Okemeomia E. Richard, and his counterpart at the Sapele Custodial Centre, Mr. Ugo Okpokenibarapagha, commended the judiciary and the Ministry of Justice for their continued efforts in addressing overcrowding in custodial facilities.
They also acknowledged the collaboration between correctional centres, the Ministry of Justice and the judiciary, while highlighting challenges such as inadequate resources and manpower shortages affecting operations.
