Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Aba, Nigeria — A harrowing and emblematic case of systemic delay and neglect in Nigeria’s criminal justice system has come to light with the revelation that a 55‑year‑old man from Ebonyi State has spent more than 13 years in prison without trial after being arrested over an allegation of resembling a murder suspect — a situation that underscores ongoing human rights concerns over prolonged detention without legal resolution.
The man, identified as Sunday Anyim, originally from Edoma in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was arrested in 2012 along a busy market road in Aba while attempting to buy used clothes for resale. Police officers at the scene allegedly detained him on suspicion that he bore a likeness to a murder suspect sought in connection with a killing in neighboring Abia State’s Obingwa Local Government Area.
According to his lawyer, Barrister Onyekachi Ezedike Hillary, Anyim was selling second‑hand garments — commonly known as okirika — at Ehere Market when officers approached him and, solely on the basis of perceived resemblance to an unnamed suspect, placed him under arrest. He was later charged with murder and remanded in custody at the Aba Correctional Centre, where he has remained ever since.
The case has drawn renewed attention after three decades of stagnation, with legal representatives revealing that Anyim’s family was unaware of his continued detention for much of the past decade. His relatives reportedly presumed he had died after failing to hear from him following his sudden disappearance more than a decade ago.
Compounding the tragedy, legal progress on his case was severely hampered when crucial court records pertaining to his prosecution were reportedly destroyed during the #EndSARS protests in 2020, a nationwide movement that saw widespread demonstrations against police brutality and, in many areas, significant damage to public infrastructure, including judicial archives. The loss of documentation has stalled any substantive action toward a trial or judicial review of the charges against him.
Lawyers representing Anyim disclosed that family members were recently located and efforts are underway to reopen legal proceedings with the aim of securing his release. They say that his prolonged detention without trial represents a flagrant violation of constitutional protections, including the right to a fair hearing, dignity, and personal liberty. Under Nigeria’s laws, suspects are entitled to be brought to trial within a reasonable time; extended remand without prosecution has been repeatedly challenged in courts as unlawful and inconsistent with international human rights standards.
The plight of Anyim is not an isolated incident in Nigeria’s justice system. Advocacy groups and legal practitioners have long criticised systemic delays in prosecuting suspects, pointing to cases where individuals have languished in detention for years or even decades without judgements or court appearances. These extended incarcerations often occur amid deteriorating conditions in correctional facilities, raising concerns about prisoners’ health, safety, and access to legal representation.
Human rights observers note that Nigeria’s penal and judicial frameworks, while constitutionally robust on paper, suffer from chronic implementation gaps. Overcrowded courts, inefficiencies in police investigation and prosecution, and logistical barriers to legal defence contribute to lengthy pretrial detentions. Cases similar to Anyim’s have occasionally prompted judicial intervention, as seen in other contexts where courts have ordered the release of individuals held for years without trial, citing constitutional violations and awarding damages against authorities.
Meanwhile, Anyim’s health has deteriorated significantly after more than a decade in prison. His counsel disclosed that he collapsed in recent days and remained unconscious for several hours before medical attention was rendered. Reports indicate he is now receiving treatment within the prison facility but remains unable to walk or speak effectively, a condition lawyers attribute to the harsh conditions and prolonged stress of his extended incarceration.
Calls from civil society organisations and legal aid advocates have intensified in light of this case. They argue that the justice system’s inability to advance cases expeditiously not only undermines public confidence in legal institutions but also perpetuates injustice against vulnerable and economically disadvantaged individuals. In many instances, those detained without trial lack the financial resources to secure private counsel or to navigate the complex motions necessary to compel state action on stalled prosecutions.
Responses from correctional authorities and the judiciary have been limited, with no official statements released regarding Anyim’s detention status or potential judicial review. Legal advocates are pressing for immediate judicial intervention to secure his release or, at a minimum, a formal reassessment of the evidence — or lack thereof — against him. They also call for broader reforms to ensure compliance with legal timelines, guarantee access to effective representation, and protect the rights of suspects throughout the criminal process.
The case highlights deep systemic challenges within Nigeria’s criminal justice framework, particularly regarding pretrial detention practices. International human rights law emphasises that prolonged detention without trial should be a measure of last resort and subject to rigorous judicial oversight. Critics argue that Nigeria’s continued reliance on extended remand undermines these principles and contributes to overcrowding in correctional facilities, where conditions often fall short of international standards.
As legal efforts to secure Anyim’s freedom advance, his story has reignited debates about accountability, legal reform, and the urgent need to protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of socioeconomic status. Advocates maintain that ensuring timely and fair trials is essential to upholding the rule of law and preventing miscarriages of justice that can devastate individuals and families for generations.
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