Delta State Chief Judge Tessy Diai has released seven awaiting trial inmates in custodial centres.

This is contained in a statement by Onoriode Etastemi, the public relations officer of the state Ministry of Justice, on Monday.

Ms Diai said the inmates were released following legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Anthony Orhorhorho, and that they had no case to answer.

While giving the summary of the exercise, which began in Warri Correctional Centre, Ms Diai said the visit commenced on March 10 with 350 warrants reviewed.

The judge said one inmate regained freedom in Warri Correctional Centre while 138 warrants were reviewed in Sapele, but no one was released.

She added that at the Sapele Remand Home, 10 Warrants were reviewed, and no inmate was released.

According to her, 181 warrants were reviewed in the Kwale custodial centre, with one person released after spending reasonable time behind bars on arson and kidnapping charges.

Ms Diai explained that in Agbor, 135 Warrants were reviewed, and none was released, while at Ogwashi-Uku, 428 warrants were reviewed, and five persons regained their freedom.

The breakdown indicates that 1,228 Warrants were reviewed, but none were granted bail.

Ms Diai appreciated everyone who participated in the exercise, including the DPP and his team, for their diligence and hard work, which translated into a faster and smoother dispensation of justice in the state.

She added that the essence of the visit was to ensure that custody cases go smoothly in court.

Those set free from the Ogwashi-Uku Correctional Centre are Yohanna Selnan, John Tanko, Gwak Imana, Ventim Usman, and Chukwuemeka Ugwu, all male.

Mr Ugwu said he was arrested for robbery and kidnapping, which he knew nothing about. He appreciated the chief judge for setting them free.

(NAN)