Delta CJ debunks erroneous media report on court sitting

Delta State Chief Judge (CJ), Honourable Justice Tessy Diai, has refuted the report by a section of the media erroneously quoting her as saying no court in Delta State sits to hear and determine cases every day.

Justice Diai expressed concern over the misleading report which emanated from her visit to Agbor custodial centre, asserting that it was false and not a true reflection of what she said.

The CJ, who was in Ogwashi-Uku custodial centre in continuation of the 2023 second quarter jail delivery exercise, urged the public to disregard the misleading information.

Justice Diai described the report as embarrassing and clarified that she was referring to designated courts that tried criminal matters and not all courts in general, stressing that she wanted all courts to try criminal cases to enhance speedy trial of matters.

“I could not have said that no court sits every day. When we come to prison visit, I do not talk about the courts in general; I talk about specific courts. I record saying that I want every court to try criminal matters because inmates are not produced every day for courts designated as criminal courts; so, those courts do not hear criminal matters every day,” she emphasised.

Justice Diai admonished journalists to verify their information and ensure accuracy in their reports.

She lauded brother judges, especially the Judge in charge of High Court 5, and prosecutors, for hard work and diligence, maintaining that transferring cases to other courts would ensure speedy trial.

Three hundred and sixty eight warrants of inmates were reviewed by the CJ with no release.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Assistant Controller of Corrections, Ogwashi-Uku Custodial Centre, Mr. John Anamba, appreciated the CJ for approving court scheduled dates which made it easy for them to bring awaiting trial inmates to courts.

Mr. Anamba disclosed that the centre had 532 inmates, made up of 160 convicts and 372 awaiting trials, just as he affirmed that officers of the centre had cordial relationship with staff of the High Court.