Anambra State Chief Judge, Peter N.C. Umeadi, days back, commenced the decongestion of the three prisons in the state with a visit to Onitsha prison, where a special court session would be held in order to grant bail to some deserving inmates. The chief judge’s visit to Onitsha prison will be followed by similar visits to Aguata prison on June 3 and Awka prison on June 5.
Chief Registrar of the state’s High Court, Mrs N.D. Ezeani, earlier at a press briefing in Awka, said the chief judge during the course of his visits to the three prisons, will handle cases of special inmates like the very sick and the aged, juvenile cases and those who have overstayed in prison while awaiting trial, among other special cases, each of which would be treated on merit.
Ezeani informed relatives of the inmates to bring their lawyers, who would appear to seek freedom for their clients on each of the days the special court session would hold. She urged relatives of those being detained in Awka, Onitsha and Aguata prisons to ensure their lawyers appear on these days to argue for bail for them during the court sessions, which the chief judge would conduct in the premises of the three prisons under reference.
While giving details on how the judge’s prison visits would be conducted, beginning on June 1, the Chief Registrar noted that Justice Umeadi would in the exercise of the powers vested on him as Chief Judge of the state engage in a goal delivery exercise.
She urged members of the legal profession in particular and the public in general to note that the court sessions at each of the three prisons to be visited by the Chief Judge will begin by 10 a.m each day. Ezeani expressed joy that the latest strike of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Anambra State branch, which could have hampered the chief Judge’s 2015 prison visits had been called off.
…Buhari Condoles Anambra, Joe Biden
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his condolences to the governor and people of Anambra State, over the gruesome incident that took place over the weekend, in which 60 people lost their lives when a petrol tanker crashed into a busy bus station in Onitsha. In a statement released on Monday, June 1, President Buhari described the incident as a sad and unfortunate loss, made even more unfortunate by the number of families who are currently mourning the loss of their loved ones.
“My deepest sympathies are with you at this most trying time,” President Buhari said. President Buhari also extended condolences to the Vice President, Joe Biden of the United States, who recently lost his son, Beau Biden, to cancer.
“As someone who has lost a child, I understand how painful and almost inconsolable it can be. The government and (our) people(s) stand with you at this trying moment for your family,” Mr. Buhari said.
He added that only God can offer comfort to both the governor and people of Anambra, and to Vice President Biden. “I pray that God comforts you,” he said.
…Obiano Pledges Increased Support For Farmers
Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has inaugurated the 2015 Farming Season in the state, promising to intensify support for farmers to ensure bountiful harvest. Obiano, who declared the Farming Season open at Otuocha in the Anambra East local council area, said his vision for agriculture would make the state self-sufficient in food. He assured the farmers’ sufficiency in rice, cassava and fish production within the first four years of his administration. “We would ensure that agriculture contributes at least 40 per cent of the state’s Gross Domestic Product.”
The governor said his administration had kept faith with its vision and had attracted over 800 million Dollars investment into the agricultural sector in the past one year.
He noted that with the development, it was clear that the vision of making the state one of the top three agricultural states in the federation was achievable. Obiano said that his administration had introduced creative ways of multiplying the prospect of farming as a rewarding enterprise for farmers as part of efforts to revolutionise the agriculture sector.
“My government is enhancing farmers’ productivity in a more sustainable way through strategic partnerships that will lead to improved yield. ‘Efforts are ongoing to develop a large market that will absorb the abundant harvest expected from the farming season,” he added.
The former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, lauded the state for remaining consistent in the annual flag-off event. Adesina said that the state had distinguished itself in supporting the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda through prompt payment of its counterpart funding.
The ex-minister was represented by the South East Regional Director in the ministry, Dr Uche Nwafor. The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Afam Mbanefo, expressed confidence that the state’s blueprint on agriculture would encourage healthy competition among farmers.