By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
The Anambra State Government has encouraged persons standing trial for non-violent offences to explore the option of plea bargaining as a means of securing quicker and balanced resolution of their cases.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, made the call while explaining the benefits of plea bargaining and its role in the state’s criminal justice system.
Nweke said where an accused person is convinced that he or she is guilty of an offence, such a person could consider exploring the option of plea bargaining.
According to him, the process could, upon conviction, enable some offenders to receive non-custodial sentences, while others could secure reduced custodial terms and serve shorter periods in correctional facilities.
He added that plea bargaining also provides an avenue for victims of offences to receive adequate compensation.
The Attorney General explained that the initiative was in line with the commitment of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo to decongest correctional centres in the state and promote plea bargaining as one of the viable and balanced mechanisms for achieving justice.
Speaking on the efficacy of the process, Nweke cited the case of Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko, as a case study.
According to him, Nwangwu entered into a plea bargain with the state government and was subsequently handed a lesser sentence by the court.
Nweke further disclosed that the remorse demonstrated by the former native doctor prompted Governor Soludo to exercise his prerogative of mercy by granting him an early release from the Correctional Centre in Amawbia, Anambra State, two days ago.
The Governor, he said, effectively remitted the remainder of Nwangwu’s prison term, enabling him to participate in the state-wide youth reformation and reorientation programme in accordance with the terms of his plea bargain.
The Attorney General also revealed that the Anambra State Ministry of Justice had received and was considering at least 150 plea bargain applications since the campaign commenced nearly two months ago.
He said the growing number of applications indicated increasing awareness and acceptance of plea bargaining as an alternative mechanism for resolving eligible criminal cases.
Tags: #Anambra #PleaBargain #Justice
