The Chief Judge of Enugu State, Hon. Justice Raymond Ozoemena, has granted bail and ordered the discharge of 86 inmates from the Enugu Custodial Centre during the flag-off of the 2025 Jail Delivery Exercise held on Thursday in Enugu.

Among those released was an 86-year-old man from Okpanku in Aninri Local Government Area, who regained his freedom on health and humanitarian grounds.

Speaking during the event, Justice Ozoemena described the jail delivery as a sacred judicial duty aimed at upholding the rule of law and protecting the fundamental rights of persons awaiting trial. He explained that the exercise allows the judiciary to review cases of inmates whose trials have been delayed or stalled, ensuring that no one is unjustly deprived of liberty.

“This is a statutory duty imposed on the Chief Judge of every state to ensure that inmates in correctional centres have their cases reviewed where the wheel of justice has been slow. I consider this a sacred obligation to protect the constitutional rights of every citizen and to ensure that justice is both fair and timely,” he stated.

The Chief Judge commended his predecessors for sustaining the tradition of the jail delivery exercise, emphasizing that it remains an essential mechanism for maintaining public confidence in the justice system. He also appreciated judges of the Enugu State Judiciary, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the management of the Enugu Custodial Centre for their continued collaboration and dedication to justice delivery.

Justice Ozoemena further expressed gratitude to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for his administration’s unwavering support to the judiciary, particularly the financial and logistical assistance provided to facilitate the 2025 jail delivery exercise. He reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that justice remains accessible, fair, and humane, especially for the underprivileged and vulnerable members of society.

In his remarks, the Controller of the Enugu Custodial Centre, Mr. Valins Obizue, commended the Chief Judge and the state government for their intervention, describing the exercise as a major step towards decongesting custodial facilities and promoting the rehabilitation of inmates. He appealed for the extension of the exercise to the Nsukka and Oji River Correctional Centres, where many inmates are still awaiting trial.

The event was attended by judges, senior officials of the Ministry of Justice, representatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service, members of the Nigerian Bar Association, and other stakeholders in the justice sector.

The members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in Enugu State have suspended its seven-day strike.

This is contained in a communique issued by the chairman and secretary of the union, Sampson Ifedimma and Jonas Onyia, respectively, on Thursday in Enugu.

It would be recalled that the union, on Sept. 12 announced an indefinite strike over non-payment of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure, following the autonomy given to the judiciary and other salary arrears.

The communique said the suspension was called off as the struggle yielded its greatest reward through the formal establishment of the State Account Allocation Committee (SAAC) by the state government.

It said the creation of the committee was not only a historic milestone but also incontrovertible proof that Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State genuinely intended to actualise judicial autonomy in the state.

“Therefore, the goal of the strike has now been successfully achieved.

“We made it clear that our action was never for personal gain, political manipulation, or frivolities.

“It was a principled struggle for the independence of the Judiciary in Enugu State, in line with the Governor’s public commitment to judicial autonomy”, it said.

The communique also said that the SAAC constitutes the fulcrum upon which the edifice of judicial financial autonomy was anchored.

“By its very design, it guarantees transparency, accountability, and the direct allocation of funds to the judiciary, thereby giving practical expression to the constitutional principle of separation of powers.

“I must commend Mbah and his team for the exceptional civility, diplomacy, and maturity with which they approached us as labour throughout this process.

“Contrary to our initial fears, at no point were we harassed or intimidated.

“From the Secretary to the State Government, to the Honourable Attorney-General, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Matters, the Head of Service, the Accountant-General, and every member of the Government’s delegation.

“These men demonstrated a high level of civility, and their engagements were respectful, constructive, and solution-driven”, it said.

The communique further said that the outcome had reshaped their perception of the administration and further confirms its genuine commitment to democratic consolidation and the strengthening of the rule of law.

“Our industrial action, therefore, was never an attempt to paralyse the state, but a noble quest for institutional freedom and democratic deepening.

“To the glory of God, it has ended in praise,” it said.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has assured that the state government will embrace a hi-tech judicial system that eliminates outdated processes and strengthens justice delivery, while also prioritizing the welfare of workers across all sectors.

The governor made this known at the annual conference of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Enugu Branch, held over the weekend at the Justice A.I. Umezuruike Auditorium, High Court, Enugu.

Speaking on the theme, “Embracing Disruptive Innovation: Leveraging Technology to Enhance Justice Administration and Delivery in Enugu State,” Governor Mbah, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Legal Matters, Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze, said his administration was committed to transparency, integrity, efficiency, and speed in justice delivery through technology.

He highlighted innovations already introduced, including e-affidavits, e-filing, virtual hearings, and electronic transcript services through verbatim reporting. “A few weeks ago, I inaugurated the first trainees on verbatim reporting. This initiative is not just about legal tech, it is also creating new jobs and equipping our youths with future-proof skills,” he said.

On workers’ welfare, the governor stressed his administration’s commitment, citing recent wage improvements. “We have paid Enugu workers above the national minimum wage and doubled the pay of customary court chairmen and members. This demonstrates our appreciation of the workforce’s role in driving growth,” he noted.

Mbah further linked justice reforms to his broader economic vision. “Our goal of growing the state’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion depends on ease of doing business. The rule of law is essential to that, and a vibrant judiciary is at the heart of the rule of law,” he added.

In his address, JUSUN Enugu Chairman, Comr. Sampson Ifedimma, praised what he described as Governor Mbah’s tireless commitment to workers’ welfare and reforms. He said the digitization of the judiciary was equipping staff with modern skills, urging members to embrace ICT.

“In this digital dispensation, literacy is no longer optional, it is a lifeline. Those who neglect it risk redundancy and stagnation,” he warned.

Ifedimma also appealed for the allocation of land for a Judicial Staff Farm Settlement, to key into the state’s agricultural revival program.

Also speaking, the Majority Leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Johnson Ani, commended the governor’s efforts, describing the relationship among the executive, legislature, and judiciary as “harmonious and focused on advancing the rule of law.”

“What we are witnessing in Enugu today is technological advancement across sectors, and the judiciary is no exception,” Ani said.

The conference brought together key stakeholders in the justice sector and reaffirmed the administration’s drive to reposition Enugu’s judiciary for the demands of a digital era.

A 36-year old man, Oyeyemi Abioye, was on Monday arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, over an alleged N19 million petrol fraud.

Abioye, whose address was not provided, is being charged with obtaining money under false pretence and theft, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin told the court that the defendant committed the offences at about 3.00p.m on April 4, at Ido, Oyo State.

Oladoyin said that Abioye obtained the sum of N19 million from the complainant, Ruth Oladiran, with the pretext of supplying 22,000 litres of petrol to her

The prosecutor said the defendant failed to supply the petrol, but converted the money to his personal use.

Oladoyin said that the offences contravened Sections 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Magistrate, Mrs Grace Daodu, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N4 million, with two sureties in like sum.

She said that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant, and adjourned the case until Sept. 4, for hearing.

The Edo Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the judgment of the election petition tribunal.

The Edo election tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, upheld the election of Gov.  Okpebholo and dismissed the PDP and Asue Ighodalo’s petitions

In a statement in Benin Dr Tony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee, said that its candidate, was duly elected by the majority of the voters in the Sept.  21,2024 governorship election

Aziegbemi said that the PDP was certain that it sufficiently proved its case before the tribunal.

“The Edo Election Petition Tribunal has delivered its ruling on our petition, challenging the result of the governorship election held Sept. 21, 2024.

“Although we hold the judiciary in the highest esteem as a political party and respect the judgment, we completely disagree with the decision of the tribunal.

“We believe, without any doubt, that our candidate, in the election, was duly elected by the majority of the voters in that election.

“We are also certain that we sufficiently proved our case before the tribunal.

“It is on the back of this conviction that we call on all our members to quickly rise up from the ashes of this temporary setback as we take our matter to the appellate courts.

“As firm believers in the rule of law and the ultimate superiority of right over wrong,

” We call on all our supporters to keep hope alive as we explore all available democratic means of enthroning the will of the people of Edo,” Aziegbemi said.

The three-member panel led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, passed its verdict in a unanimous judgement, stressing that the petitioners failed to prove its allegations of over voting and electoral non-compliance.

The tribunal held that it was the duty of a petitioner to prove its electoral malpractice allegations against INEC, and not the other way round.

On the petitioners’ allegations that the number of votes cast were greater than the number of registered voters in disputed polling units, the judge agreed with the defendants that the petitioners failed to present polling unit agents and presiding officers to prove it.

The judge said it was “clear to us that the documents tendered from the bar(by the petitioners) were dumped on the tribunal without any competent witness” to substantiate the claims of over-voting and electoral non-compliance.

“These witnesses( presented by the petitioners comprising Local Government agents and others) are total strangers,” the judge stressed.

“The failure of the petitioners( PDP and Ighodalo) in this case to call polling unit agents and registered voters is fatal to their case,” the judge said, highlighting that eyewitness accounts were required to prove electoral non-compliance.

The judge also faulted the PDP for dumping the BVAS machines before the tribunal without calling competent witnesses to turn them on and demonstrate its claims of overvoting.

Subsequently, the tribunal dismissed the petitioner’s petition” for failing to prove its case against the governor’s election.

Dr. Kingsley Udeh, Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in Enugu State, says the trial of Sunday Echeji, who allegedly cut off his wife’s hand will commence next week.

Udeh also announced that the trial of the suspected killer of the popular musician, Mr. Okezie Mba, popularly known as Igbo Jah, would begin next week.

The commissioner announced this, Thursday, in Enugu while interacting with journalists in his office.

He explained that the Ministry of Justice has qualified and competent lawyers to prosecute both cases.

Udeh noted that the ministry under him is prosecuting many criminal cases, revealing that they treat over one hundred criminal case files every month, which he admitted is on a high side.

The commissioner, however, pointed out that Peter Mbah-led administration has initiated different strategies to ensure quick dispensation of justice, which include digitalisation of court filing process, virtual trail of cases, and introduction of Witness Support Fund.

“Now His Excellency the governor has approved what we called Witness Support Fund, money earmarked for calling witnesses, especially in the criminal case.

“It was one of the things that stalled quick dispensation of justice before the current administration.

“You know that criminal prosecution is done by the state. You know that the government is not the victim or complainant in the case, and we call witnesses.

“Before now, no money is assigned to the prosecutor for calling witnesses. You may be asking if the witnesses are paid to come to the court. We don’t pay them, but we provide them with logistics.

“So if you are calling a Pathologist for come and give an expert evidence as expert witness, they wouldn’t come until you give them money nit to pay them but their logistics,” the Attorney-General said.

He informed the journalists that the state government is using every legal instrument at its disposal to decongest the correctional centres in the state, including granting of State Pardon to deserving inmates.

Udeh announced that the Supreme Court has granted Enugu State full ownership of the Hotel Presidential, which, according to him, ended all litigations previously hindering the government from doing the needful.

“Criminals were using Hotel Presidential as hideout because  it was a massive structure, no security there, so criminals were having a field day there.

“The court ordered us to go there and the place in order and pursue criminals out because it has become a security threat. So we did that and started putting things in order.

“And then we started pursuing with speed knowing that there is a limit we can go because of litigation against the state. So, we start pursuing to end the case, which was at the Supreme Court,” he added.

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has congratulated Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, on his inauguration as the 32nd President of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, describing him as a round peg in a round hole.

Mbah, who is also a senior lawyer, charged Mazi Osigwe to bring his wealth of knowledge and experience to bear on the task of addressing the challenges facing legal practice and the justice sector in general.

In a statement released on Friday, Mbah said, “I join the rest of the NBA and other well-meaning Nigerians in congratulating Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, on his inauguration as the 32nd President of the NBA.

“As a member of the inner Bar, a former Secretary-General of the NBA, Chairman of the Unity Bar, and a consummate legal practitioner, who has distinguished himself in his calling, Mazi Osigwe is purpose-built for the office he was overwhelmingly elected to occupy.

“Also, as a candidate, he articulated a blueprint for the advancement of the legal profession and the justice sector that enjoyed the buy-in of members. Therefore, I trust him to lead a proactive Bar that delivers solutions and benefits to legal practitioners and the justice sector in general.

“On behalf of the Government and the good people of Enugu State, I wish him the best as he undertakes this onerous task.”

Governor Mbah urged members of the Bar and Nigerians to accord the new NBA total support and cooperation to succeed.

A serving Deputy Director in the Enugu State Water Cooperation, Mr. Emeka Edoh, has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Enugu North Magisterial District over alleged false pretence with intent to defraud some residents of Enugu the sum of N150,000.

Mr. Edoh was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Joseph Agu, Tuesday.

The charge sheet marked MEN/240/C/2024 was read out to the 56-year old defendant and level 15 civil servant, who, however, pleaded not guilty.

This was even as the Police arraigned four persons, namely Onyeka Nicholas, male, aged 27/ Okechukwu Umeh, male, aged 40; Monday Udeh, male, aged 37, and Tochukwu Eze, male, aged 28, and others at large for alleged illegal roadblock, intimidation, and extortion of money from Enugu residents and motorists.

The Water Corporation’s Deputy Director one-count charge read: “That you Edoh Emeka ‘M’ on the 23rd day of April, 2024, at No 144 Banks Avenue, in Enugu North Magisterial District, did by false pretence and with intent to defraud, obtain the total sum of one hundred and fifty (150, 000) thousand naira from Chinyere Ogbonna, Onyinye Ugwu and other members of the neighborhood with the pretence to rrectify their Enugu State Water Corporation bill, which you know to be false, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 386 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30 Vol 11, reversed Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria”

A bail application for the Defendant made by his counsel, Barr. E.E. Ezekwe, who argued that it was a bailable offence was opposed by a Senior Legal Officer from the Office of the Attorney-General of Enugu State, Barr. Onyinye Ugwu,.

Ugwu argued that the offence for which Mr. Emeka Edoh was charged was a serious one.

After hearing the arguments of both parties, Magistrate Agu granted Mr. Edoh bail in the sum of N500,000. He is also to provide a surety, who must be a Staff of the Enugu Sate Water Corporation of Grade Level 14 or above.

The matter was thereafter adjourned to 22nd of May, 2024 for hearing.

However, Onyeka Nicholas, Okechukwu Umeh, Monday Udeh, and Tochukwu Ezeh, who had been arraigned earlier were not as lucky, as Magistrate Agu refused their bail following their arraignment on three count charges bothering on felony, intent to intimidate and collect money from unsuspecting members of the public, and breach of peace.

Their charges read: “That you Onyeka Nicholas ‘m’, Okechukwu Umeh ‘m’, Monday Udeh ‘m’, Tochukwu Eze ‘m’ and others now at large on the 11th day of April 2024 at about 0010hours at Oshimiri Bus Stop, Akegbe Junction, Enugu, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire among yourself to commit felony, to wit: Demanding with menace and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 495 (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II Reversed Laws of Enugu State 2004.

“That you Onyeka Nicholas ‘m’, Okechukwu Umeh ‘m’, Monday Udeh ‘m’, Tochukwu Eze ‘m’ and others now at large on the same day, time, and place in the aforementioned Magistrate District did with intent to intimidate, demand, and collect money from unsuspecting members of the public and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 371 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II Reversed Laws of Enugu State 2004.

“That you Onyeka Nicholas ‘m’, Okechukwu Umeh ‘m’, Monday Udeh ‘m’, Tochukwu Eze ‘m’ and others now at large on the same day, time, and place in the aforementioned Magistrate District did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by creating illegal roadblock and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 247 (d) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II Reversed Laws of Enugu State 2004.

The matter was adjourned to 16th May 2024.

It is recalled that the Dr. Peter Mbah Administration had recently issued an order banning illegal roadblocks and revenue collection in every part of the state, warning that offenders would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

It had also warned that those caught sabotaging government’s effort to ensure that Enugu people enjoy steady water supply would have the law to contend with.

The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) Enugu State Chapter has appealed to the Enugu State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, to ensure effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL).

The appeal is contained in a statement jointly signed by the former Chairman of the group, Mr. Chukwuene Osy-Gabriel, Esq, and his Secretary, Mr. Fabian Nnamani, Esq.

The statement observed that proper administration of the criminal justice law would help in ensuring quick and timely dispensation of justice in the state.

The group noted that the prolonged criminal trials and holding charge have resulted in a dire state of prison congestion in the correctional centres.

According to the statement, the predicament arises from the untimely submission of case files by police investigation officers, delayed filings by legal officers, and a shortfall in judicial resources.

CLASFON noted that the backlog of cases in the state has accumulated over time, leading to the protracted detention of suspects without their day in court.

”It is obvious the Enugu State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2017 (ACJL), has made copious provisions in the subject matter of discourse, but the implementation has been hamstrung by numerous challenges.

The ACJL, for instance, provides for non-custodial sentencing in simple offences. Section 35 provides for monthly visitation of police station by the Chief Magistrate and many others which has been scarcely implemented.

The challenges currently faced, including protracted trials, the absence of police witness, and the resultant prison congestion, necessitate expedition and comprehensive action, the group noted.

The body suggested some solutions to the problem which include case prioritisation and management; witness management and accountability; training and capacity development, alternative dispute resolution; expansion of the judiciary infrastructure; expedited court session; scheduled case review session, among others.

“The implementation of these measures hold the promise of significantly mitigating the prevailing challenges within our criminal justice system.

By expediting trials, ensuring witness availability, and alleviating prison overcrowding, we can uphold the fundamental principles of justice while also reliving the stain on our prison infrastructure”, CLASFON added.

Responding, the Honorable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, assured the lawyers’ body of his readiness to work very closely with them. He reassured them that His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah, is committed to optimizing justice delivery and upholding the laws of Enugu State.

Similarly, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice has prioritized the implementation of the ACJL, being the major law in administrating an efficient criminal justice system in Enugu State. He noted that active steps were already being taken towards implementing some of the solutions recommended by CLASFON and that the administration of Governor Peter Mbah is committed to achieving results in that regard.