The Anambra State Government has introduced a plea bargain system for eligible criminal suspects in a move aimed at speeding up the delivery of justice and reducing delays in the prosecution of cases.
However, the new policy will not apply to suspects facing serious charges such as murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and rape.
The state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke (SAN), said the initiative is backed by Section 156 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Anambra State, 2022.
According to him, the goal is to make plea bargaining a regular part of the state’s criminal justice system and improve the management of criminal cases.
“It has become necessary to operationalise and mainstream plea bargain in the administration of criminal justice in Anambra State in furtherance of the provisions of Section 156 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Anambra State, 2022,” Nweke said.
He directed prosecutors across the state to provide eligible defendants with plea bargain forms and inform them of the opportunity to negotiate their cases.
Completed applications will be forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for review and possible approval.
The Attorney-General also warned that any criminal charge filed without complying with the new policy could be considered contrary to the government’s directive and may be discontinued.
He added that every plea bargain agreement must form part of the official prosecution process and be approved by the head of the prosecuting agency’s legal department or the Attorney-General where the Ministry of Justice is handling the case.
Reacting to the development, Dr. Ebuka Onyekwelu, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Media, said the policy aligns with the governor’s judicial reform agenda.
According to him, the Soludo administration remains committed to working with the judiciary and legislature to modernise the justice system and ensure the speedy dispensation of cases across the state.
