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.

ABSU LAW CLINIC SECURES RELEASE OF 2 CHILDREN DETAINED AT OKIGWE PRISONS

The ABSU Law Clinic worked with Barr. Okpalaeke in the release, on 3 August 2011, of two 16-year old boys remanded at the Okigwe Prison.They had been charged for conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

The boys were identified during an interview session by Ogochukwu Oye, a 500l Clinician during the last Prisons visit. It was discovered that the boys had been terribly tortured by the Police into signing a statement misrepresenting they were 18 years and were thus charged to Court as adults. Their parents were unaware of this mistake, and they had no legal representation in court. Bail was denied by the Magistrate.

The Clinic was instantly drawn to the matter and contacted the family while seeking the assistance of  Barr. Okpalaeke. It was discovered that the case actually stemmed from a minor family dispute. The clinic’s persistence and negotiation eventually paid off when the family resolved the dispute. The Clinic followed up and the charge was withdrawn from the Magistrate Court on 3 August 2011 on the condition that the boys should sign an undertaking to be of good behavior. 

The families were extremely happy to have their children back and expressed their gratitude to the Clinic  team comprising  Chioma Nwigwe and  Ogochukwu Oye who had followed the case and present at Uruala Court on the day of freedom for the helpless boys. One of the detained persons, Mr. C. declared his resolve to become a lawyer someday and help other persons regain their freedom.

ABSU LAW CLINIC TEAMS UP WITH NBA ON HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN

On 29 July 2011, the ABSU Law Clinic participated in a human rights campaign at Girl’s Secondary Commercial, Asa Road, Aba, Abia State. The campaign was organized by a Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Aba Branch, coordinated by Mrs. Ichie. The Clinic Community Outreach team was led by Ginika Okoroafor and Peace Ogbonna. The campaign was geared towards the sensitization of college students on their civil and political rights as enshrined in chapter four of the constitution and the various enforcement mechanisms available to them upon abuse of these rights. The event was a huge success.

The staff and students were intrigued by the information about human rights and had a lot of questions for both Mrs. Ichie and the Clinicians. At the end of the exercise, the Principal of the School, Dr. (Mrs.) Gina Onochie hosted the campaigners in her office and commended both the NBA and the Clinic for their time and effort at community service.

ABSU LAW CLINIC PARTNERS CLASFON FOR 2ND ADVOCACY AND WELFARE VISIT TO OKIGWE PRISONS;21 July 2011

The ABSU Law Clinic Prisons Service (Advocacy Unit), in conjunction with the Christian Law Students’ Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) paid an advocacy and welfare visit to the Okigwe Prisons on 21 July 2011. The Law Clinic Team led by Ogochukwu Oye and Oyidiya Torti, included some 400 level clinicians. The Clinicians used the opportunity to observe, inquire and gather relevant information on the treatment of the Prisoners as well as their welfare and general living conditions at the Prisons.

The joint team carried with them food, toiletries and articles of clothing, among other things, donated by the students and philanthropists. The prisoners and prison authorities were extremely excited. The Director of Welfare at the Prisons, Mr. Osuji expressed gratitude and commended the Law Clinic and CLASFON.

The clinicians  informed the authorities of the clinic’s willingness to cater for both the legal and non-legal needs of the prisoners to the best of her capability. 

Freedom for Chinedu after 8 years without formal charge

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.”

ABSU Law Clinic team on Advocacy visit to the CJ of Imo State

An ABSU Law Clinic team comprising 6 student-clinicians led by Chioma Nwigwe paid a courtesy and advocacy visit to the Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice Benjamin Ahanonu Njemanze on 23 June 2011. The purpose was to inform the CJ on the activities of the Clinic, and solicit his support for the Prisons Services clinic, and particularly the Okigwe Prisons project.

The CJ commended the Clinic for the noble social service, and informed the Clinic team that the next Jail Delivery Exercise will start on 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 of the CJ. Those whose cases were presented included, two under-aged detainees at the prison and Chinedu who has spent eight years awaiting trial and whose file was allegedly missing.


It will be recalled that on 23 March 2011,the Clinic participated actively in a similar exercise by the CJ and in the process secured the release of one of her clients. Impressed by their role then, the CJ had promised to carry the Clinic along in future visits.

This time around, the Clinic has been pre-informed of the exercise and will be participating more actively.The Clinic has secured the services of Bar. Emeka Okoroafor who has volunteered to represent the clinic’s clients at the jail delivery exercise. Thus,the Clinic is likely to secure the release of more Prisoners soon as the Clinic is participating in the jail delivery exercise at the Okigwe prisons. Reports of the exercise will follow shortly.