By Lilian Ezejiegu
The Anambra Government has urged persons facing criminal trials to consider plea bargaining where they accept responsibility for their offences and are genuinely remorseful.
The Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr. Law Mefor, made the call while briefing journalists at his office at the Secretariat Headquarters, Awka, on Sept. 22.
Mefor was reacting to the recent conviction of native doctor Ekene Igboekweze, popularly known as Eke Hit, who was sentenced by the Anambra State High Court on Sept. 18.
He said the conviction demonstrated that although the wheel of justice might grind slowly, it would eventually reach its destination, stressing the need for residents to conduct themselves within the law.
The commissioner recalled that Igboekweze, Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, and Onyebuchi Okocha, also known as Onyeze Jesus, had faced criminal proceedings arising from related allegations.
He said while Igboekweze was convicted and sentenced on Sept. 18, Nwangwu had earlier pleaded guilty through a plea bargain arrangement and received an 11 month sentence.
Mefor said Nwangwu’s remorse and plea bargain subsequently contributed to the exercise of the prerogative of mercy by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, leading to his early release from custody.
The commissioner urged persons facing criminal trials to consider plea bargaining where applicable, noting that the process could result in reduced sentences while requiring offenders to accept responsibility for their actions.
According to him, plea bargaining does not amount to escaping justice, but provides a legal avenue for resolving criminal cases while promoting reformation and reducing the burden of prolonged trials.
Mefor also cited Section 180 of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025, which provides for up to six years’ imprisonment, a fine of N20 million, or both, for specified offences.
He said the state government remained committed to enforcing the law while encouraging lawful conduct, accountability and the reformation of offenders.
Lilian Ezejiegu is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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