ABSU LAW CLINIC SETS UP TASK FORCE TO SECURE RELEASE OF PRISON INMATES

The ABSU Law Clinic on Thursday March 17, 2011 set up a Task Force to ensure the release of several indigent awaiting trial prisoners of the Okigwe, Umuahia and Aba Prisons whose cases were being handled by the Clinic. Setting up the Task force, the Coordinator of the Clinic, Dr Sam Erugo enjoined them to ensure that all hands are on deck to secure the release of as many prisoners as possible within the next one month.He noted the disruption of the Clinic's initial plan of action  by the 7-month strike action; and observing that certain deserving cases have been identified, he emphasized the need to set up a task force to work ad hoc, timely and quickly to actualize the NULAI/Funders' goal for the current session which ends 31 March 2011. This goal, he said, is simply to secure the release of prisoners already identified as deserving legal assistance, employing the cooperation and partnership of all Clinicians and partner organizations, including NGOs, the NBA,Legal Aid Council of Nigeria and private legal practitioners. 

The Task force team is to be coordinated by Orji Agwu Uka, a Clinician who just recently completed his LL.B program with the Faculty of Law, ABSU.

The team comprises of student clinicians drawn from the 500 Level and 400 Level Students in the Clinic and will be led by Chioma Nwigwe for Okigwe Prisons, Ekeoma James Ikechukwu for Umuahia Prisons and Kalu Nnamdi Collins for Aba Prisons.

The team has accordingly launched a multi pronged attack to ensure the fulfillment of their mandate. The modus operandi of the current operation include follow up visits to the prisons to meet the accused persons, calls and visits to the families and homes of the prisoners, engaging lawyers to secure the release of the prisoners at little cost and meeting with the Law Enforcement agencies like the office of the DPP, the Police etc.

Several Lawyers have already been contacted for the purpose and they all indicated interest to participate in the exercise.

A comprehensive report of the exercise is coming soon!