73-year-old man who spent 13 years and eight months in prison awaiting trial after he was arrested by EFCC regains his freedom

A 73-year-old man, Nyeche, who has spent 13 years and eight months awaiting trial in prison after he was arrested by EFCC operatives has finally regained his freedom. 

Human Rights group, Herdfort foundation, who secured his release said Nyeche was arrested when he was 60 years old. The body in a statement released said they took up his case after a church member that went for a prison outreach in March 2022 alerted them of his case.

The NGO said Nyeche’s case file went missing and was not before any court between 2019 and 2023. 

‘’We traced his file to the DPP office and brought him before a court on 20th October 2023 when he was re-arraigned for the crime of stealing. We argued that Nyeche should be released because he has already served more than the provided sentence for the crime of stealing if found guilty.”

The NGO said on the other hand, the EFCC requested an adjournment to prepare for trial and the court granted same. 

‘’Our lawyer applied for his bail and undertook to ensure his presence in court on the next adjourned date. The court granted our application on the ground that we ensure his presence on the next date. Finally, on the 20th October, 2023, Pa. Nyeche experienced freedom after 13years and 8months in prison.”

Watch a video of him speaking below