By Chinelo Okeke
The Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Tobechukwu Nweke SAN, has reiterated his commitment to decongest correctional centres across the state through speedy dispensation of justice.
Nweke made this known when the Anambra State Controller of Corrections, Ezinne Emele Onuoha, paid him a courtesy visit in his chambers at the Ministry of Justice, Awka.
Speaking during the meeting, the Attorney General said many inmates remained in correctional facilities without trial, while some families were unaware of the whereabouts of their relatives in custody.
He directed that a comprehensive inventory of inmates in all correctional centres in the state be compiled, especially awaiting-trial inmates, those granted bail but yet to perfect their bail conditions, those denied bail and remanded, as well as convicted persons serving various jail terms.
According to him, the data would enable the Ministry of Justice to review cases and take appropriate legal actions aimed at reducing congestion in the facilities.
Nweke lamented the persistent non-production of inmates in courts, describing it as a major challenge and a clog in the wheel of justice delivery in the state.
He further said that legal opinions from the Ministry of Justice should not exceed one month, wondering why some criminal matters stay as long as six months without trial.
The Commissioner directed that necessary letters be drafted to facilitate the trial of inmates who had not been formally charged to court, and urged the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to identify all awaiting-trial inmates in both High Courts and Magistrate Courts across the state.
Nweke also commended Onuoha for emerging as the first female Controller of Corrections to serve in Anambra State, describing her appointment as a significant achievement, while assuring her of his readiness to collaborate with the correctional service to improve justice administration in the state.
Earlier, the Controller of Corrections said she visited the Attorney General to familiarize herself with him, congratulate him on his appointment and seek mutual understanding on how to move the state forward.
Responding to the issue of delay in producing inmates in court, the Controller attributed the challenge to logistics difficulties, especially inadequate operational vehicles.
According to her, situations where a single vehicle is expected to convey several inmates to different courts across various jurisdictions often create serious challenges for the correctional service.
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