By Cajetan Mmuta
The lawmaker representing Onitsha North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. Edward Ibuzo said on Monday that 80 percent of inmates in the Onitsha correctional center were innocent citizens.

Speaking to newsmen in Onitsha, the commercial town of the state, he said the inmates were being incarcerated on trumped-up charges.

Ibuzo was reacting to the recent release of three inmates by an Anambra High Court sitting in Onitsha, after four years of trial.

“The suspects were set free for improper investigation by the police, especially when an alibi is involved.

“The police were said to have put up unbailable trumped-up charges against most of the inmates, and they will be incarcerated in the correctional center. It is unfortunate.

“Many of these inmates have been on awaiting trial for many years.

” There should be synergy between the police and the judiciary for accelerated hearing of cases,” he said.

Recall that an Anambra High Court sitting in Anambra on February 22, acquitted and discharged three men and sentenced one to 21 years in prison for murder.

The four accused persons were tried for a murder committed on September 10, 2018, in Onitsha.

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After four years of trial, Wilfred Ezike, Chisom Amakaeze, and Paul Anozie walked out of the courtroom as free men while Sunday Emenike was sentenced for murder.

The four men were tried for conspiracy and murder of Akachukwu Ezebuilo and another two-count charge of conspiracy and attempted murder of Nnamdi Obumse.

Justice S.N. Odili, said the trio of Wilfred Ezike, Chisom Amakaeze, and Paul Anozie, proved their case beyond reasonable doubt that they were not involved and present at the murder scene.

Odili did not exonerate Sunday Emenike from involvement in the conspiracy and attempted murder case of Nnamdi Obumse.