The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Anambra State Command has debunked an allegation of Mrs Onyekachi Orji Giving Birth in Prison.
The Public Relations Officer, Controller of Corrections
Anambra State State Command DSC Frank Ekezie stated this in a statement over the weekend.
According to the statement, “The attention of the management of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Anambra State Command has been drawn to a publication in one of the dailies titled: Lawyers Raise the Alarm Over Female Inmate Who Gave Birth in 2008, credited to one Chijioke Ifediora, said to be the leader of Rights Lawyers in Anambra State.”
In the publication, it was alleged that one Mrs. Onyekachi Orji was incarcerated sometime in 2008 with pregnancy and that she later delivered a baby while in custody. It was also stated that both mother and child are still in custody 12 years down the line.
This story is not only untrue but can best be said to be a figment of the author’s imagination.
To put the records straight, the lady in question, Mrs. Onyekachi Orji was remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service on 6th March, 2009 by a court of competent jurisdiction. She was neither pregnant nor nursing any baby at the time of admission into the facility and has never been pregnant.
It should be noted that impediments to speedy trial of cases include inability of some inmates to afford cost of legal representation. Therefore, if Mr. Chijioke is altruistic in assisting the said inmates and indeed others in custody, he can offer pro bono services to facilitate their release.
The State Controller Emmanuel Ekemezie Esq. wishes to reassure members of the public that the interest of persons committed to the custody of the NCoS in the Command remains a priority and this course will be pursued with favour.