TRIAL FOR MR B

On the 4^th of August 2011, Abia State University Law Clinic conducted a follow up visit to Okigwe prisons. One of the cases followed up was that of Mr. B, an indigent young man who was charged with armed robbery at magistrate court, Okigwe in July 2009. The magistrate remanded him pending the DPP’s recommendation which was to have been filed within 21 days.

The clinic decided to help the young man through three clinicians namely Bethel Godfrey, Adiele Promise and Ukanze Chukwunonso. They obtained the charge sheet and the certified true copy of the last court proceeding from the magistrate court. At the DPP’s office, they were received warmly and introduced to the state counsel in charge of the matter. With the DPP’s help, the case file was located and the DPP gave his opinion. Information has now been filed in the high court and the state will proceed to prosecute the young man as is his constitutional right.

A CRY FOR HELP

This story may sound unbelievable; but it is a true report of a case currently being handled by ABSU Law Clinic. The first interview was conducted by Ezinne Umozuruike, a 500l clinician. On the 22^nd of December 2011, Miss A paid a visit to her elder but was informed she had moved out. Some days later, the police came to Miss A's house looking for her sister whom they suspected was connected with the trafficking of a 4 year old boy. Miss A told them she had no idea of her sister's whereabout. They invited her to the police station for questioning. On getting there, Miss A was detained and told she would be released only when her sister was arrested which never happened. She was later granted bail but when her father came to take her on bail on the 27^th of March 2011, he too was detained.

They were both charged to the Magistrate Court at Umuahia for child trafficking and though pregnant, she was remanded at Umuahia prisons on the 30^th of March 2011 along with her 62 year old father. They got a lawyer but were unable to pay his legal fees, so he withdrew from the matter. Miss A gave birth prematurely to a set of twins at the Prisons. The Clinic (represented by Chioma Nwigwe and Ezinne Umozuruike) contacted the family and lawyer. Necessary documents were also obtained by the Clinic and application for bail  filed at the High Court. The application was denied despite medical reports from doctors showing the new born twins and mother could die if not provided with adequate medical attention unavailable at the prisons.

The Clinic has just contacted the Ministry of Justice, Ministry Of Women Affairs and FIDA to come to the aid of this young woman and her twins before it is too late.