The ABSU Law Clinic on Monday March 22, 2011 enlisted the partnership (pro bono) of an Owerri-based Senior Lawyer and former Chairman of NBA Owerri Branch, Barr N.B.E. Nwigwe in a deal to effect the release of several indigent prisoners illegally and wrongfully detained at Okigwe Prisons. This is part of the session's Prisons Services Clinic, and in fulfillment of the mandate given to the Clinic's Task force set up to clear the backlog of its indigent clients in prison requiring legal assistance to regain their freedom. It will be recalled that the Clinic had interviewed several such Prisoners at the beginning of the session, identified those in need of legal assistance, and has been pursuing releases.
In a short, but rewarding meeting held in Owerri today, Barr Nwigwe, the Principal Partner of Nwigwe & Uchegbu Chambers indicated interest in providing Lawyers in his Chambers to do some of the cases on behalf of the Clinic on pro bono basis. He also left some useful advice for the clinic on how best to achieve the objectives of the clinic, having personally conducted several pro bono cases during his spell as NBA Chairman, including conducting personal visits to the families/blood relations of the prisoners to ascertain the reason why they were abandoned, and to stand sureties in the event of possible applications for bail so that we do not end up embarking on exercises that would end in futility. He also advocated dexterity in carrying out the visits to the communities as such had the potentials of turning hostile.
Logistics on how to prosecute the cases were also agreed upon on the terms that the clinic would provide token transportation for the lawyers engaged in the cases. Subsequent meetings have been scheduled to iron out further logistics for the project.
Several other lawyers have also been contacted for the purpose.
The visit was carried out by Orji A. Uka and Azubuike Seth of the ABSU Law Clinic.
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