Emmanuel Orji Was Not Born In Correctional Centre — Gadzama SAN Report Shows

*Says Contrary To Reorts, Orji Was Not The Son Of Onyekachi
Orji
*Says Onyekachi Gave Birth To A Child At The Correctional Centre
But The Child Is Now With Her Father

The Pìoneer Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on
Public Interest And Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Chief J-K Gadzama
SAN has officially submitted the report on his visit to Awka
Correctional Center, Anambra State.

Recall that TheNigerialawyer(TNL), had reported that the Learned
Silk had promised to submit an official report on his visit to
the Awka Correctional Facility to the President of the NBA, the
Eastern Bar Forum, and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe intimating them of
his findings and progress so far in the case of Emmanuel Orji which
was reported by the Distinguished Senator at the Eastern Bar Forum
meeting held on the 24th July 2021 at the Hon. Justice A.I
Umezulike Auditorium, Enugu State.

The report which was submitted by Gadzama, SAN and was sighted
by our correspondent, shows the fulfillment of the promise the
Learned Silk made in that regard.

Gadzama, SAN in the company of some lawyers from his firm as
well as C.I. Meze (the counsel that has been handling the matters)
and Mr Ken Nwanna, the Chairman of the NBA Awka branch visited the
Awka Correctional Center on August 5, 2021.

At the Correctional Centre, the team were received by Maria
Kwazu, the Welfare Officer, who ushered them to the office of the
Officer-in-Charge, DSP Harry Okonkwo.

The team was informed that, although there was an Emmanuel Orji,
but contrary to reports, he was neither born in the Correctional
Centre nor was he a son of Onyekachi Orji. As a matter of fact, he
is close to 40 years and was about 25 years when he was remanded 15
years ago.

The correct information was that although Mrs. Onyekachi Orji,
who was already pregnant as at the time of her remand, had given
birth while in custody, she gave birth to a girl who was not in any
Correctional Centre, but living with her father, Innocent Orji in
the village.

The said Onyekachi Orji was arraigned in two different
courts:
1. Charge No HN/2/2011 between the State v Innocent Orji (General)
& 16 Ors, coram Honourable Justice Ike Ogu, before the Anambra
State High Court, sitting at Awka.
2. Charge No FHC/AWK/7C/2009 between the Federal Republic of
Nigeria v Chidinma Orji & 15 Ors before the Federal High Court,
coram Honourable Justice Oweibo.

While all the Defendants (save Innocent Orji) in the former case
(bordering on murder and kidnapping) were acquitted, in the
judgment of July 31, 2017, judgment in the latter case (bordering
on treason) has been fixed for October 20, 2021, following the
adoption of final written addresses by Counsel on July 22, 2021.
Innocent Orji has since served out his 10 year term and is now the
one taking care of their daughter.

Gadzama, SAN also commended Mr C. I. Meze who has been handling
the matter for over 15 years now, at no cost to the Defendants. He
equally thanked the Distinguished Senator, the leadership of the
Nigerian Bar Association as well as the Eastern Bar Forum for
giving him such an opportunity to serve.

*Says Contrary To Reorts, Orji Was Not The Son Of Onyekachi
Orji
*Says Onyekachi Gave Birth To A Child At The Correctional Centre
But The Child Is Now With Her Father

The Pìoneer Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on
Public Interest And Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Chief J-K Gadzama
SAN has officially submitted the report on his visit to Awka
Correctional Center, Anambra State.

Recall that TheNigerialawyer(TNL), had reported that the Learned
Silk had promised to submit an official report on his visit to
the Awka Correctional Facility to the President of the NBA, the
Eastern Bar Forum, and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe intimating them of
his findings and progress so far in the case of Emmanuel Orji which
was reported by the Distinguished Senator at the Eastern Bar Forum
meeting held on the 24th July 2021 at the Hon. Justice A.I
Umezulike Auditorium, Enugu State.

The report which was submitted by Gadzama, SAN and was sighted
by our correspondent, shows the fulfillment of the promise the
Learned Silk made in that regard.

Gadzama, SAN in the company of some lawyers from his firm as
well as C.I. Meze (the counsel that has been handling the matters)
and Mr Ken Nwanna, the Chairman of the NBA Awka branch visited the
Awka Correctional Center on August 5, 2021.

At the Correctional Centre, the team were received by Maria
Kwazu, the Welfare Officer, who ushered them to the office of the
Officer-in-Charge, DSP Harry Okonkwo.

The team was informed that, although there was an Emmanuel Orji,
but contrary to reports, he was neither born in the Correctional
Centre nor was he a son of Onyekachi Orji. As a matter of fact, he
is close to 40 years and was about 25 years when he was remanded 15
years ago.

The correct information was that although Mrs. Onyekachi Orji,
who was already pregnant as at the time of her remand, had given
birth while in custody, she gave birth to a girl who was not in any
Correctional Centre, but living with her father, Innocent Orji in
the village.

The said Onyekachi Orji was arraigned in two different
courts:
1. Charge No HN/2/2011 between the State v Innocent Orji (General)
& 16 Ors, coram Honourable Justice Ike Ogu, before the Anambra
State High Court, sitting at Awka.
2. Charge No FHC/AWK/7C/2009 between the Federal Republic of
Nigeria v Chidinma Orji & 15 Ors before the Federal High Court,
coram Honourable Justice Oweibo.

While all the Defendants (save Innocent Orji) in the former case
(bordering on murder and kidnapping) were acquitted, in the
judgment of July 31, 2017, judgment in the latter case (bordering
on treason) has been fixed for October 20, 2021, following the
adoption of final written addresses by Counsel on July 22, 2021.
Innocent Orji has since served out his 10 year term and is now the
one taking care of their daughter.

Gadzama, SAN also commended Mr C. I. Meze who has been handling
the matter for over 15 years now, at no cost to the Defendants. He
equally thanked the Distinguished Senator, the leadership of the
Nigerian Bar Association as well as the Eastern Bar Forum for
giving him such an opportunity to serve.