A forty-year-old man, Mr Uche Nnoli has regained his freedom after seven years of awaiting trial in correctional centres.
Nnoli, who is from Nteje in Oyi local government area of Anambra state, was sent to the Onitsha Correctional Center, following a crisis in the community.
While in detention, he was transferred to Ogwashi Ukwu Correction Center in Delta State and later returned to Onitsha Correctional Center, from where he was released.
He regained his freedom when the Anambra State chapter of Human Rights 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 Mr 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.
Ekwunife, who spoke on Thursday, said; “We made a lot of impact and went to Onitsha Correctional Center and it happened that he has been transferred to Ogwashi Ukwu Correctional Center 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 Center 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 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 remain protected under the law,” he said.
Ekwunife however lamented the sorry state of the Correctional Centers in Anambra state, contending that the facilities need urgent attention in the area of improving facilities.
“Anambra State Correctional Centers are nothing to write home about. There is a need to maintain and renovate the decayed facilities in those places, and address issues of medical services and facilities which are almost non-existent at the facility,” he said.
Ekwunife however announced that his organization has concluded arrangements to establish Skill Acquisition Centers in those Correctional Centers as well as improving on the facilities.
“We are commencing the establishment of Skill Acquisition Centers 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 programs,” he said.
