TWELVE inmates of Onitsha Correctional Centre have been granted freedom by the Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu as part of his 2020 Jail Delivery exercise.
The inmates who were charged with various offences, including rape, conspiracy and arm robbery, stealing and burglary among others, the Chief Judge said, would have received freedom earlier, but the exercise was stalled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Justice Anyachebelu stressed that the aim of the exercise which he embarks on twice a year, was to give accelerated hearing to cases which have stayed longer than necessary.
The State Chief Judge in the course of the hearing, gave priority to health cases, juvenile, women who are in detention as Onitsha is the only Correctional Centre with females, and those who are sixty years and above.
Justice Anyachebelu also referred other cases to regular court for accelerated hearing and bail.
The Deputy Comptroller, Onitsha Correctional Services, Mr. Valentine Nwosu represented by Sophia Ofili at the event, noted that the exercise assist greatly in decongesting the Correctional Centre disclosing that the Onitsha Correctional Centre had 968 inmates.
Mr. Nwosu appealed to government to assist the Correction Centre with Vehicles to aid the inmates movements to courts where their cases are being tried and thanked the Chief Judge for the visit.
Justice Anyachebelu was accompanied on the visit by high court judges of Onitsha and Ogidi among others.
BY SUNNY A. DAVID
