Anambra begins review of land dispute cases to ease prison congestion
The Anambra State Government has started reviewing criminal cases related to land disputes in a bid to reduce the number of inmates in correctional centres. According to a public notice signed by Chinwe Okonkwo-Okom for the Attorney General, many land disputes, which are civil matters, have been wrongly criminalised. The review aims to identify and discontinue such cases. The government is encouraging the public to submit relevant documents for consideration.
What we know
- The Anambra State Government is reviewing pending criminal cases arising from land disputes.
- Chinwe Okonkwo-Okom signed the public notice on behalf of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tochukwu Nweke.
- The notice, dated June 1, 2026, highlights concerns about the criminalisation of civil land matters.
- Members of the public are invited to submit complaints and documents for cases they believe are civil in nature.
- The review is part of ongoing efforts to decongest correctional centres and reform the criminal justice system.
