Absu LawClinic Releases Maiden

We took a pledge, we made a promise.
To fulfill a responsibility and to uphold a legacy.
Today, we record our first great stride.
Our word is our bond.
Absu Law Clinic breaks a record.
It hasn't been quite long since the new leadership in the clinic took up the mantle. Despite the challenges of several unexpected developments, we still beat injustice to the ribbon.
In barely one week of active prison work and just a day after the High Court of umuahia resumed, we have perfected the bail bond of one of our clients, an inmate in umuahia prisons. As we speak, the middle-aged woman is beside her husband, happily catching up on developments which she missed in time past.
This is our first release this session, and as mothers would put it, she opened our womb. Due to client confidentiality rule, we won't be releasing sensitive details about her but we will tell you her story.
We call her "#Maiden.
In February, 2011, maiden had a quarrel with her neighbor which escalated into a physical combat. Her neighbor did not get the best of the fight and promised to deal with her. A week later, maiden was visited by Policemen and prevented from cooking the evening meal for her family as she normally did. That was the last she saw of home till today. Maiden was arrested and immediately charged with stealing. From our interview with her, maiden really can't recall the thing she was accused of stealing.
Without legal representation and/or money to settle with the police, maiden was thus remanded in prison custody in the same week in February, 2011.
The police neither went further with the case nor was she arraigned again before any other court until Absu Law Clinic met her. Next month, February 2017, would have made her stay in prison a total of 6 years.
Legally, the crime of stealing as punishable under section 390 of the Criminal Code Act Cap.39, LFN 2004, warrants an imprisonment sentence not exceeding 7 years in general circumstances.
However, this provision only applies to Convicts but Maiden is not and had never been a convict yet she had concluded about 90% of a jail sentence that was never declared against her.
It is true then, that which was said by Stanley Ibe - "Don't get arrested in Nigeria".
We are glad to have lent a hand to "Maiden" to mitigate the injustice that was being done to her. Maiden graciously thanks Absu Law Clinic and we appreciate her too.
Special recognition goes to Chinonyerem Echibuogu,
Nwankwo Alex Chisom,
Nwariaku prince, and
Ukwuoma Christopher who specially worked on the case after the clinic found keen interest in it.

The clinic is open for all.
At the clinic, we render free legal services to those who cannot afford legal representation. We render services like:
*Legal consultation
*Counseling
*Legal advice
*Legal assistance.

Visit Absu Law Clinic for free at Faculty of Law complex, Absu extension in UMUAHIA. (Along umudike road just after government college).
Official hours feature Mondays to Fridays within 8am to 4pm.
Remember, our services are totally free. What have you got to lose.