ABSU LAW CLINIC RECORDS FIRST RELEASE FOR THE SESSION

Fortune smiled the way of one of the prisoners whose case was being handled by the ABSU Law Clinic as the clinic secured his release today. He is Mr. S, a 28 years old bus driver and a native of U. in Ikeduru, Imo State.

This happened today 23 March,  2011 during the occasion of the 2011 jail delivery exercise undertaken by the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Benjamin Ahanonu Njemanze. This exercise coincided with one of the Clinic's repeat visit and the Clinic team quickly joined the jail delivery team for the benefit of its clients.

Mr. S. was arrested following an accident which took place in November 2008 and arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Mbano in December 2008 on the charge of occasioning grievous harm contrary to Section 332 of the Criminal Code.

The Clinic came into contact with the case on January 4, 2010 during a prison visit to Okigwe Prison. The interview then was conducted by Anaba Adaeze Deborah and recently reviewed for further action by Orji Favour Adaeze.

The Clinic, in the absence of a legal practitioner to appear on behalf of the inmate immediately contacted the Legal Aid Council Coordinator for that purpose and at the end of the day, the Chief Judge ordered his immediate release.

The clinic also provided funding to ensure his transportation back home, reunite with his family and also take care of some immediate needs.

Mr. S. was thus the first person to be released through the ABSU Law Clinic’s activities for the 2009/2010 Session and hopefully would signal more of such before the end of the month.

The Clinicians who took part in this ground breaking exercise were

Chioma Nwigwe 500 Level

Oziogu Izuchukwu 500 Level

Oyidiya Torti 500 Level

Uma Ezinne Okechukwu 500 Level

Ugo Ndidi Bernard 400 Level

Uzoma Ikechukwu Chibuike 400 Level

The Clinic also used the opportunity to establish contacts with the Chief Judge of Imo State, Director of Public Prosecutions and the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Imo State Branch. Appointments were immediately arranged with these persons in anticipation of further action.