The Anambra State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Tochukwu Nweke, SAN, has explained why controversial native doctor Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, was released before completing his prison sentence.
Nwangwu, who was serving an 11-month term following a plea bargain with the state government, was released last week by Governor Chukwuma Soludo and subsequently appointed the state’s youth ambassador.
Nweke said the early release followed the plea bargain arrangement, Nwangwu’s expression of remorse and the relatively short period remaining on his sentence.
According to the Attorney-General, those factors provided grounds for Governor Soludo to exercise his prerogative of mercy by remitting the unserved portion of Nwangwu’s sentence.
“Based on the plea bargain between Akwa Okuko and the state government, he was given a lesser sentence by the court,” Nweke said.
He added that Nwangwu’s remorse and the short period left on his sentence created an opportunity for the governor to consider him for the prerogative of mercy.
Nweke said the governor’s decision also enabled Nwangwu to begin work with the state on youth reformation and reorientation, as provided for under the plea bargain agreement.
The commissioner explained that plea bargaining could result in reduced prison terms or non-custodial sentences for convicted persons, depending on the circumstances of individual cases.
He said such arrangements could also include restitution or compensation for victims of offences.
Nweke described Nwangwu’s early release as an indirect benefit arising from the plea bargain, rather than a departure from the agreement reached between the parties.
He urged people facing criminal trials who admit guilt to consider plea bargaining where appropriate, saying the process could offer an alternative to lengthy custodial sentences while ensuring that cases are resolved within the justice system.
The Attorney-General also said the Soludo administration was using plea bargaining as part of efforts to reduce overcrowding in correctional centres across the state.
He disclosed that the Ministry of Justice had received about 150 applications since launching a plea-bargaining campaign two months ago.
Nweke said the applications were being reviewed, adding that the initiative was intended to broaden the use of plea bargaining as part of Anambra’s criminal justice system.
