A Young Man’s Life Interrupted
In February 2021, Nnabuike Okoye’s life changed in an instant.
A young fisherman and commercial motorcyclist, he lived quietly with his mother and five younger siblings in their family compound at Aguikpa community, Oruku, Nkanu East Local Government Area, Enugu State. As the eldest son, he carried the weight of responsibility, helping his widowed mother feed the family.
One evening, soldiers and police officers stormed their compound. Without warning, they harassed the family and dragged Nnabuike away. His siblings watched in fear, powerless to stop it. That night marked the beginning of a nightmare.
Detained Without Trial
Nnabuike was first taken to Idodo Police Station, then moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Enugu. Weeks passed without answers. On 30 March 2021, he was arraigned before a Magistrate Court on charges of armed robbery.
The court refused him bail. Because the offence was classified as “capital,” the Magistrate said the court lacked jurisdiction. Nnabuike was remanded to Enugu Custodial Centre, where he would remain for years—without trial, without legal aid, and without hope.
For more than a year, he sat in prison waiting for the State to file formal charges. His mother struggled alone in the village, caring for his siblings and wondering if her first son would ever come home.
CAPIO Steps In
It was during one of CAPIO’s weekly visits to Enugu Custodial Centre that our legal team met Nnabuike. Listening to his story, we saw yet another case of a young Nigerian unjustly stuck in prison limbo. CAPIO took up his case immediately, offering free legal representation.
In 2022, the Department of Public Prosecution finally filed charges against him at the High Court in Amagunze. CAPIO’s lawyers stood by his side from the very first hearing in December 2022 until the final day of judgment in March 2025.
The Long Road to Justice
The trial dragged on for over two years. The State called two witnesses; the defence, supported by CAPIO, also called two witnesses. Every hearing carried the weight of Nnabuike’s future. For his mother and siblings, each court date was another prayer that truth would prevail.
On 26 March 2025, the High Court finally delivered its verdict. The judge found Nnabuike not guilty of armed robbery. After four long years, he was discharged and acquitted.
A Family Reunited
The news broke tears in his mother’s eyes. Her eldest son, once taken in handcuffs, was finally walking back to her as a free man. For Nnabuike, four years of his youth were lost behind bars, but his dignity and freedom were restored.
He is now back home in Aguikpa, with his family, trying to rebuild his life. His story is a reminder of how easily an innocent person can be swept into the system—and how much difference legal aid can make.
Why This Matters
Across Nigeria, countless men and women remain in prison for years without trial. Some are innocent. Some are forgotten. Their families carry the silent burden of poverty, stigma, and broken hope.
CAPIO exists to challenge this injustice. Through free legal aid, regular prison visits, and advocacy for systemic reform, we stand beside inmates who would otherwise have no voice.
Nnabuike’s acquittal is not just one man’s victory. It is proof that justice is possible when we fight for it.
CAPIO’s Commitment
At CAPIO, we know the struggle is far from over. Each acquittal pushes us to keep going—for the next Nnabuike, and the thousands still waiting for their day in court.
Justice should not depend on wealth or status. Every inmate deserves dignity, fair hearing, and a chance at freedom. That is why CAPIO will never stop fighting for them.
Editor’s note: Names have been changed in parts of this story to protect individuals’ privacy.
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