Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a significant move aimed at reducing congestion and strengthening confidence in the state’s justice system, the Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, has ordered the discharge of one inmate and granted bail to four others during an official visit to the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Aguata. The exercise, conducted as part of the judiciary’s ongoing commitment to custodial centre reviews, highlighted both the challenges and the progress made in ensuring timely access to justice for awaiting-trial inmates across the state.
Justice Anyachebelu, represented at the session by Justice Ifeanyi Nweze and supported by other judges, reviewed several cases during a court proceeding that lasted several hours. After evaluating the circumstances of each matter, the Chief Judge directed the release of forty-nine-year-old John Abel, who had been held for one year and two months over an allegation of stealing. His prolonged stay in detention, attributed largely to delays in prosecution, was found unjustifiable based on the facts presented. Justice Anyachebelu therefore ordered his immediate discharge, describing the circumstances of his incarceration as inconsistent with the principles of fair and timely legal process.
The Chief Judge further granted bail to four additional inmates whose cases were found to be fit for conditional release pending the continuation of their trials at the regular courts. These individuals, whose names were not disclosed during the session, were said to have shown sufficient grounds for bail, including assurances of attendance at future court dates and the absence of factors that might pose risks to public safety. Justice Anyachebelu instructed that their matters, along with those of several others reviewed during the exercise, proceed without delay at appropriate courtrooms to prevent the recurrence of unnecessary detention.
Speaking to journalists after the extensive review session, Justice Anyachebelu expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded in how criminal matters are currently being handled within the state’s judicial framework. He noted that most of the cases examined during the visit were already active in regular courts and moving through procedural stages. According to him, this development underscores the collaborative efforts between the judiciary and the Office of the Attorney General in combating prolonged detention and managing custodial populations more effectively. He described the improved pace of trials as a positive sign that the justice system is functioning with greater responsiveness to the rights of suspects and inmates.
The Chief Judge emphasized the importance of continuous review visits to custodial centres, noting that such exercises not only help identify cases suffering undue delays but also ensure that the rights of suspects are upheld in accordance with constitutional standards. He added that the visits serve as a reminder to all justice sector stakeholders of the need to sustain diligence in prosecution, documentation, and case management to prevent backlogs that may lead to congestion in correctional facilities.
On his part, the Assistant Controller of Corrections and Officer in Charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre Aguata, Kevin Okonkwo, commended the judiciary for its ongoing efforts to reduce congestion and promote a more humane correctional environment. Okonkwo noted that the periodic visits and interventions by the Chief Judge have had measurable impacts on the facility, helping to address cases that might otherwise have lingered without attention. He expressed particular appreciation for the discharge and bail decisions made during the visit, observing that such outcomes not only ease the burden on the custodial system but also restore hope to inmates awaiting trial.
The officer further stated that inmates who benefit from such judicial exercises often leave the facility with valuable lessons and a renewed sense of direction. According to him, correctional programmes within the centre expose inmates to skills, counselling, and behavioural guidance that are intended to support successful reintegration into society. Okonkwo expressed confidence that those released during the session would apply the knowledge gained during their stay to make meaningful contributions to their communities.
The judiciary’s action comes at a time when conversations around prison reform and justice sector efficiency continue to gain momentum both nationally and at the state level. Human rights advocates and legal practitioners have repeatedly called for stronger safeguards to prevent prolonged pre-trial detention, which remains one of the major contributors to congestion in Nigeria’s custodial centres. In many facilities across the country, a significant percentage of inmates are awaiting trial, often due to slow investigations, administrative lapses, or delays in prosecution.
Anambra State, in recent years, has intensified efforts to tackle these systemic challenges. The Chief Judge’s periodic visits have become a crucial part of this reform drive, helping to identify issues directly within custodial environments and ensuring that justice is dispensed with fairness and efficiency. Authorities say these visits reflect a broader commitment to upholding human rights, ensuring legal accountability, and strengthening public trust in the judicial system.
The review at the Aguata custodial centre also served as a reminder of the importance of inter-agency collaboration in the criminal justice process. While the judiciary plays a central role in adjudication, the speed and effectiveness of trials often depend on the preparedness of prosecutors, the availability of evidence, the cooperation of investigating officers, and the operational support of corrections officials. The progress acknowledged by Justice Anyachebelu during the visit highlights how such collaborations can yield positive outcomes when all institutions remain committed to their responsibilities.
For many families of inmates, the Chief Judge’s visits represent a rare opportunity for overdue justice and a chance for stalled cases to receive renewed attention. In the case of John Abel, his discharge brings an end to more than a year of uncertainty and prolonged confinement over an allegation that had not been tested in court within a reasonable timeframe. His experience serves as an example of why ongoing oversight and judicial interventions remain essential to ensuring that no individual is lost within the complexities of the legal system.
As the discharged and bailed individuals prepare to return to their communities or continue their cases under more favourable conditions, the Anambra State judiciary has reaffirmed its readiness to sustain these review exercises across other custodial centres in the state. With each visit, authorities hope to strengthen safeguards around access to justice, reduce congestion, and ensure that no inmate is denied timely legal consideration. Justice Anyachebelu reiterated that the courts will continue to uphold fairness while balancing the need for public safety and the rights of the accused as constitutionally guaranteed.
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