The Anambra State Government has commenced a review of criminal cases arising from land disputes, a move that could lead to the withdrawal of numerous prosecutions found to be civil in nature.
The initiative, announced by the Office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke SAN, forms part of ongoing efforts to decongest correctional centres and deepen criminal justice sector reforms in the state.
In a public notice signed by the Head of the Attorney General’s Chambers, Chinwe G. Okonkwo-Okom, on behalf of the Attorney General, the government expressed concern over what it described as the undue criminalisation of civil land matters.
“The Honourable Attorney General of Anambra State has observed with concern the undue criminalization of civil matters involving land disputes which constitute a substantial number of the criminal cases pending in various courts in the State,” the notice stated.
According to the notice, the Attorney General has decided to review all pending criminal matters bordering on land disputes to determine those that are essentially civil in nature and discontinue such cases in line with constitutional powers vested in the office.
Okonkwo-Okom said members of the public with criminal cases arising from land disputes believed to be civil matters have been invited to submit complaints for the Attorney General’s review.
“Members of the public are hereby invited to submit complaints in respect of criminal cases involving land disputes pending against any person either in the High Court of the State or in the Magistrate Courts which are believed to be civil in nature for the Attorney General’s review,” she stated.
She explained that complaints should be accompanied by copies of the Charge or Information, proof of evidence and other relevant documents.
“The complaints should be accompanied by a copy of the Charge/Information with proof of evidence and any other necessary documents and should be submitted at the Attorney General’s Conference Room, Ministry of Justice, Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka,” the notice added.
The review is expected to pave the way for the withdrawal of criminal charges in cases where the Attorney General determines that the disputes are civil matters that should be resolved through appropriate civil legal processes rather than criminal prosecution.
The development is part of the state’s broader strategy to reduce the number of inmates in correctional facilities while ensuring that the criminal justice system is not used to settle private land disputes.