It was freedom at last for Chinedu, a client of ABSU Law Clinic who was released on bail from the Okigwe prisons on 24 June, 2011 after eight years of detention without trial.
The Clinic had earlier reported about CA who has been in custody for eight years following his arrest by the police, detention and arraignment before an Ideato South Magistrate Court on the charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. He was subsequently remanded at Okigwe Prisons where he has been since December, 2003.Since then, CA has been wallowing in detention, without a formal charge before a High Court having jurisdiction to try him. In the process, Chinedu has suffered and lost opportunities, in addition to being exposed to disease, as well as physical and psychological trauma. To compound his woes, his family had no knowledge of his whereabouts as he had lost all contacts with family..
Several visits to Ideato South by a team of ABSU clinicians comprising Chioma Nwigwe, Bethel Godfrey and Fred Ben it was obvious that his family really had no knowledge of his whereabouts. His aged father, the breadwinner of the family was incapacitate due to old age and thus not able to earn any income. He was however excited to hear about the whereabouts of his son whom he had presumed dead and assured the Clinic of his cooperation in every area he was needed.
The Clinic decided to take up the matter and set up machinery in motion to secure his release, including securing a Lawyer, Barr. Emeka Okoroafor to handle the matter on her behalf on pro bono basis. The Clinic obtained a certified true copy of the record of proceedings to facilitate his bail application, etc.
However, during the 23 June 2011 advocacy visit to the Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice Benjamin Ahanonu Njemanze the CJ had informed the Clinic team of the Jail Delivery Exercise scheduled for 24 June 2011. The Clinic team used the occasion to solicit the inclusion of some of her clients in the cause list for the Jail Delivery Exercise, especially that of Chinedu. At the jail delivery, Barr. Emeka Okoroafor, represented the Clinic and argued passionately for Chinedu's case. The Chief Judge after reprimanding the office of the Director of Public Prosecution for abandoning such a young man in prison for so long without trial, granted him bail..
The conditions and processes for his bail were eventually perfected though without some difficulties in bringing his uncle from Abuja to stand as surety since his father was incapacitated.
The Clinic notes that the situation Chinedu found himself is similar to that of so many prisoners at the Okigwe prisons and other prisons in Nigeria. Such cases contribute greatly to the overcrowding of prisons in the country.
The clinic will continue to contribute its quota in the fight for prison decongestion and access to justice “one prisoner at a time.”
