Maduako Igbokwe l Monday, March 21, 2022
ONITSHA, Anambra, Nigeria – Governor of Anambra state Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has promised to provide necessary facilities that would improve the living conditions of inmates in the state, to give them sense of belonging.
He also promised that his government would ensure speedy dispensation of justice to inmates in the State. Soludo made the promises when he visited Aguata Correctional Center, Ekwulobia, Aguata local government area, Anambra state.
According to Soludo, he will direct whoever that would be his Commissioner for Justice, to immediately review their cases and ensure speedy administration of justice in the state. Soludo used the opportunity to tour the facilities to ascertain the level of dilapidation and their necessary needs.
He also observed that they have about 176 inmates , noting that some inmates had stayed on awaiting trial for over 15 years, while some had who claimed to be innocent had stayed for years without any legal process.
Soludo, while interacting with the inmates promised to do everything necessary to give correctional facilities in the state a facelift.
“As part of onye aghana nwanne ha, I am here to celebrate with you, to tell you I haven’t forgotten you. My government is for the downtrodden. In two weeks, I will provide you with recreational facilities to connect you to the world. The first assignment of my Commissioner for Justice is to review your cases to ensure speedy administration of justice, “he said.
Governor Soludo presented some relief materials to them as he promised to visit other correctional centers in the State within the next one week.
The Governor was accompanied by his wife, Dr Nonye, the Speaker Anambra State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Uche Okafor, the Deputy Speaker, Dr Paschal Agbodike, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, member representing Aguata constituency two, in the Anambra State House of Assembly Mr Okechukwu Okoye among others.
The State’s Comptroller of Correctional Center, Mr. Patrick Chukwuemeka expressed gratitude to the governor as he deemed it necessary to visit and interact with them.
“What we are doing here is transforming lives. It is a different form of transformation from the primitive way of incarceration. We are determined to fashion ways to transform them for better productivity.
” We are ready to partner with you for better development of the state. We will plead for a better environment to enable the inmate to be successful in the state.” he said. Speaking on behalf of the inmates, Mr Edwin Douglas thanked the governor for his visit saying that he has revived their hope and sense of belonging.
