Gospel Uebari Kinanee, a man who disappeared at age 14, has finally regained his freedom after spending 18 years in prison without a single official record or criminal charge.
His case came to light in September 2024, when Haven360 Foundation, a justice-focused humanitarian group, visited a correctional facility during an outreach.
There, they noticed Kinanee-quiet, isolated, and unable to clearly explain how he ended up behind bars.
What alarmed the team most was the complete absence of any legal documentation: no arrest records, no case file, and no trial history. For nearly two decades, Kinanee existed in prison without trace-lost in the system.
The Foundation launched a relentless campaign, submitting petitions, contacting authorities, and tracing his roots.
Their search led to his hometown in Ogoni, Rivers State, where his family had last seen him in 2007.
According to relatives, Kinanee was picked up by police, allegedly following a dispute with a powerful neighbor. After years of failed attempts to locate him, the family assumed he was dead-until Haven360 called with news they never expected.
Kinanee, now in his early 30s, told the Foundation he had no memory of any wrongdoing and only remembered being arrested and ending up in prison.
On July 17, 2025, the Chief Judge of Rivers State formally discharged him, confirming that no charges were ever filed against him. He walked out of prison a free man-his wrongful detention finally acknowledged.
Haven360 Foundation has since reunited Kinanee with his family, provided financial support, and is arranging psychological and medical care to aid his recovery.
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