After spending 18 years behind bars without trial, 32-year-old Gospel Nwibari has finally regained his freedom, highlighting one of the most harrowing cases of justice delayed in Nigeria’s recent history.

Arrested at just 14 years old, Nwibari was held in detention without charge, trial, or legal representation, his life suspended in a broken justice system that forgot him. His release earlier this week brought waves of emotion to his family, especially his elder brother, Paul Kinani, who had long believed him dead.

 “I thought he was gone forever, We searched everywhere for him. Getting that call from Haven360 Foundation felt like a miracle," Kinani said tearfully."

Nwibari's story has become a powerful symbol of Nigeria’s deeply flawed criminal justice system, where thousands are held for years without trial. His release was facilitated by Haven360 Foundation, a legal advocacy group working to free unlawfully detained individuals and bring attention to prison reform.

 “He was arrested as a teenager and left to rot in the system, He is one of many Nigerians forgotten by justice. We also recently secured the release of a mentally ill woman who had been detained since 2022," said Barrister Cyrus Onu, President of Haven360 Foundation."

Nwibari now faces an uncertain path to recovery. Eighteen years of unlawful detention have taken a heavy toll on his mental and physical health. Medical and psychological support will be critical as he adjusts to a society that moved on without him.

Responding to the case, Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, acknowledged systemic lapses and reiterated the judiciary’s commitment to safeguarding detainee rights.

 “Many inmates have no case files, no records, and no hope of trial. Continuing to detain them serves no purpose,  “We must act to restore justice and dignity to these lives," Justice Amadi stated."

The Port Harcourt Correctional Centre, where Nwibari was held, is severely overcrowded. Designed for 1,800 inmates, the facility now holds over 2,500, sparking fears of a looming crisis.

Legal experts warn that unless drastic reform is implemented under the Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, inmate admissions may need to be suspended temporarily to address the backlog and human rights violations.