Tony Okafor
Anambra woman who gave birth in prison in 2008 still in detention- lawyers


Rights lawyers in Anambra State have decried unlawful detention of citizens in the South-East and Anambra State in particular.

Protesting about the situation in Awka, the Anambra State capital on Thursday, the lawyers said there was a case of a woman who gave birth in a prison in the state in 2008 who remained in detention till date.

The lawyers in their petition titled: "unlawful detention in correctional centres in Anambra of Igbo men, women and children, appealed for the release of such detainees.

Their petition read by their leader, Chijioke Ifediora said 18 of such unlawful detainees were in correctional centres in Awka and Onitsha.

Their petition reads:

UNLAWFUL DETENTION IN CORRECTIONAL CENTRES IN ANAMBRA OF IGBO MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF CONSCIENCE, WANTON INCARCERATION, ABUSE OF THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS, ABJECT NEGLECT OF CITIZENS IN CUSTODY, DEPRIVATION OF JUSTICE AND CALL FOR URGENT INTERVENTION BY ALL CONCERNED STAKEHOLDERS AND HUMAN Rights Lawyers 27th May 2021 at Awka Anambra State


Anambra State and indeed the South East region has been truncated by myriads of activities ranging from participation in nationwide mass actions against Police Brutality and human rights abuses as well as citizen protests in support of good governance.
Youth groups have been in the fore front of these protests naturally being the highest victims of such atrocious actions by Law Enforcement Agencies.

Men and Women of goodwill have lent their voices accordingly all in a bid to entrench a new leaf in the relationship between Citizens and their Government especially the Law Enforcement agencies and the Police.


While the successes of those actions cannot be overemphasised, the reality is that human rights abuses still abound.
This press conference is therefore primarily dedicated to the urgent need to address such abuses, some lasting for over twelve (12) years and which we understand form part of recent agitations that have thrown Anambra state and other South Eastern areas in turmoil.


As concerned citizens and advocates for rights of all and the sustenance for human dignity, we wish to use this Press Conference to draw the attention of the International Community, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Anambra State Government to the alarm raised recently regarding the incarceration, prison detention without trial and gross abuse of human rights of over eighteen (18) citizens of Igbo extraction allegedly for crimes they did not commit.


Our investigation reveals that these persons have been in detention at Onitsha and Awka Correctional Services for well over twelve (12) years, awaiting trial.


They are :
1.​Miss Okwudiri Bassey;
2.​Uchenna Nicholas;
3.​Peter Igbokwe;
4.​Sabastine Amadi;
5.​Ikechukwu Chikwem;
6.​Uche Idika;
7.​Chukwuma Kalu;
8.​Eni Kalu;
9.​Chima Asor;
10.​Ojemba Anyanwu;
11.​Emmanuel Orji;
12.​Mmaduabuchi Asika;
13.​Chinweke Irondi;
14.​Michael Okezie;
15.​Ikechukwu Aghari;
16.​Casmir Odakara;
17.​Chidiebere Ekwem;
18.​Ndubuisi okanu.


We believe they are many more. Our justice system should be based on the principle of fair hearing, presumption of innocence and speedy dispensation of justice.

However in these cases, it has failed that test. People are not happy and the likelihood of uprising cannot be ruled out.

The Judiciary is on strike and there is no avenue to find a legal solution to this problem now but we are hoping to take swift action immediately the industrial action is over.

The delay in these cases clealy suggests lack of attention and concern. It is on this note that we have taken steps to follow up these cases to ensure that these people get justice sooner than later.

It is important to emphasise that these citizens and others whose details we do not have presently, have been detained since 2008 in Correctional Centres in Anambra State for offences allegedly committed by their husbands, fathers, brothers or relations who could not be found at the times when the arrests were effected.


One of them by name Mrs Onyekachi Orji was arrested pregnant. Available information reveals she delivered that baby in Prison and till date, both remain in custody, twelve (12) years after. What a calamity.


Furthermore, our investigations reveal that although these persons variously standing trial at the Federal High Court, Awka are charged with the offence of Felony under Section 37(2)cc with suit No. FHC/AWK/7C/2009, as well as for the offence of Conspiring among themselves to commit felony under Section 37(2) Cap 38 LFR 2004, these cases are moving at paces slower than the snail with the last hearing being in January 2020 adjourned to March 2021.

As at last check, the adjournment date couldn’t hold as a result of Judicial workers’ strike.
The cases involving these innocent citizens (as recognised by law until proven guilty) are being prosecuted by a Private Counsel in execution of a fiat by the Attorney-General of the Federation while Defence Attorneys.

The world is invited to note that from the foregoing, all indications point to a deliberate plan to continue to incarcerate these innocent citizens just for being relations of persons who share different views with the Federal Government

It is therefore on this premise that we wish to call on the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Prosecuting Counsel executing the fiat, and every person involved in this matter, that these persons have suffered enough.

The law of the land confers the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Why should anyone be in prison for twelve (12) years awaiting trial.

We call on the Anambra State Government within whose jurisdiction these atrocities are taking place to take very active interest in the administration of justice on its citizens by Federal Agencies.

We ask members of the Nigeria Bar Association especially in Anambra State and all champions of human rights, activists of justice and all men and women of goodwill to rise in defence of the defenceless.

We believe that sincere responses and committed actions in response to this call will save us all from a wave of avoidable public disturbances and unrest and will help resolve a twelve (12) year incarceration of innocent citizens.

We only ask for justice. Let’s meet in Court and hear their offences, let the Judge grant them bail, conduct a speedy trial and either acquit or find them guilty. We believe the former rather than the latter will be the case.

We say a capital No to the continued detention without trial of these people and we ask all families and friends concerned, to give this process a chance.
On justice we stand.

Signed

Chijioke Ifediora Esq.

Henry Chibuike Ugwu Esq.

Chinedu Clement Igata Esq.

Michael Okoye Esq.
Copy
1.​The President General, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide

2.​The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation

3.​The South Eastern Governors Forum

4.​His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano, Governor Anambra State

1

You guys should leave them there for now because Nigeria is not funny.
You want them to come out so that they will start running from UGM, bandit and Bokoharam?

If only the relevant authorities can do justice to the petition. There are so many wrongs going on in this country. God himself wouldn't find it easy being a Nigerian.

This is bad very bad

Where una dey b4, for 12 years

So the poor child start his life in jail

Hmmm... but

.

In the north in spirit of sallah celebrations their governor's grant pardon to prisoners but you can never hear or see it happen in southern nigeria