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Chukwujekwu Ilozue
In a move aimed at decongesting correctional facilities across the state, the Anambra State Government has announced a plea bargain initiative for suspects currently standing criminal trial in the state.
The initiative is also aimed at accelerating the administration of justice.
However, the initiative excludes defendants facing trial for serious violent crimes including murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and rape. The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists on Wednesday in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
According to Nweke, the discretionary measure forms part of the State Government’s ongoing reforms aimed at reducing congestion in correctional centres and easing the burden on the courts.
He added that the initiative is also designed to strengthen the criminal justice system in line with the reform agenda and mandate of Governor Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo.
The Attorney General further revealed that he has issued a formal Direction to all prosecutors in the state, mandating them to provide every defendant in eligible criminal cases with the prescribed Plea Bargain Forms before plea is taken.
The Direction, dated 22 July 2026, applies to all offences created under the laws of Anambra State, with the exception of murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and rape.
Nweke described the initiative as a significant policy shift, noting that it represents the first time a state government in Nigeria has extended a plea bargain opportunity on such a broad scale to eligible persons facing criminal prosecution. Under the plea bargain arrangement, an accused person who voluntarily pleads guilty to an offence may receive a reduced sentence or other concessions, subject to the approval of the court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the law#
