…AG issues Directives, Excludes Serious Violent Crimes
The Anambra State Government has offered plea bargain to all suspects standing criminal trial in the State except those standing trial for the offences of murder, kidnapping,, armed robbery and rape.
According to the statement issued by the Attorney General of Anambra State, Tobechukwu Nweke SAN, this rare discretionary privilege is part of the ongoing efforts of the State Government to decongest the correctional centers and the courts and to align with the ongoing reform of the criminal justice sector in the State in line with the mandate of the Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo.
The Attorney General has further to this, issued a Direction to all prosecutors in the State requiring them to issue the prescribed Plea Bargain Forms accompanying the Direction to all defendants in criminal cases before plea is taken.
The Direction is dated the 22nd July, 2026 and applies to all offences created by the laws of the State except the offences of murder, kidnapping,, armed robbery and rape
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
this will be the first time a State Government will be taking such a bold step to offer plea bargain to large members of the society facing criminal trial.
Under plea bargain, a defendant is required to plead guilty and be given a lesser sentence by the courts
