By Kamsi Anayo
Mr Uche Nnoli, a 40 year old man, has regained freedom after seven awaiting trial in correction centre.
Nnoli from Nteje community college in Oyi local government area of Anambra state was sent to the Onitsha Correctional Centre over community crisis.
While in detention he was transfered to Ogwashi Ukwu Correction Centre in Delta state and later returned to Onitsha Correctional Centre where he was released.
He regained freedom when the Anambra State chapter of Human Right Protection Service with headquarters in Naples, the United States of America intervened and offered free legal services to him.
According to the chairman of the Anambra state chapter of the group, Prince Chinedu Ekwunife, they heard about the case of one Nnoli from Nteje when the wife and mother cried to them over the continuous detention of their husband and son without trial and they took over the matter.
“We made a lot of impact and went to Onitsha Correctional Centre and it happened that he has been transferred to Ogwashi Ukwu Correctional Centre in Delta state which did not fall within the jurisdiction of the matter.
“With the help of our legal team he was returned back to Onitsha Correctional Centre and the matter was charged to Otuocha High Court 2 and the Presiding Judge, Hon Justice Okey Onunkwu after examining the case struck it out and released him.
“He has since rejoined with his family and we as a body commend the presiding Judge and the Nigerian Judiciary for rekindling the hope of the common man in Nigerian Society.
“This shows that the rights of a common man remains protected under the law,” he said.
Ekwunife however lamented the sorry state of the Correctional Centres in Anambra state, contending that the facilities need urgent attention in the area of improving facilities.
“Anambra state Correctional Centres are nothing good to write home about because they need to be maintained and renovate.
“The decayed facilities in those places and medical services and facilities are almost non existent ” he added.
Ekwunife, however, announced that his organization has concluded arrangements to establish Skill Acquisition Centres in those Correctional Centres as well as improving on the facilities.
“We are commencing the establishment of Skill Acquisition Centres and this is aimed at training the inmates so that they become gainfully employed, and so that they do not go back to crime when they are released.
“We have been relying on individual contributions as like minds as well as public spirited individuals to help us achieve these programmes, ” he said.
