A 31-year old man, Chukwujekwu Ifejika was discharged on Tuesday from the Onitsha prisons, Anambra state by the State Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi for lack of criminal records.
Ifejika, who had been in prison on awaiting trial for alleged robbery since 2010, regained his freedom during the annual visit of Justice Umeadi to various prisons in the state.
Ruling on his case, Justice Umeadi said the accused had never been in court since seven years of his incaseration, saying if he was convicted for the crime he committed, he could have still served seven years imprisonment.
Speaking to newsmen after his discharge, Ifejika said he was in prison for offence he did not commit, regretting that he lost both parents during his stay in the prison.
The visibly excited former inmate, expressed joy over his release, saying he would remain grateful to God and the Chief Judge for making his freedom a dream come true.
"I thank God for my freedom today. I spent these seven years here because I don’t have anybody to speak for me, having lost my father and mother while in the prison," he said.
Ifejika who said he was into commercial driving before his incaseration, said his stay in the prison exposed him to lots of hand crafts, including painting, carpentry and tailoring, adding that he was among the inmates that painted some part of the prison yard.
He however regretted the lackadaisical attitude of some prison warders, particularly towards taking them to court.
"It is either they complain of lack of vehicle for take us to court or there is no fuel in the vehicles. Such experiences pain inmates because once you miss court dates, it would take a long time to get another opportunity", Ifejika added.
