Anambra introduces plea bargain policy, excludes murder, kidnapping, rape cases
by Adenle Ahmed Abiola · The Eagle OnlineThe Anambra State Government has announced a plea bargain initiative for suspects standing criminal trial in the state as part of efforts to decongest correctional facilities and speed up the administration of justice.
However, the initiative does not apply to defendants facing charges of murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and rape.
The development was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday in Awka by the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke.
According to Nweke, the measure is part of the government’s broader justice sector reforms aimed at reducing congestion in correctional facilities, easing the burden on the courts and strengthening the criminal justice system in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s reform agenda.
The attorney general also directed all prosecutors in the state to issue prescribed plea bargain forms to defendants in eligible criminal cases before pleas are taken.
Dated July 22, 2026, the directive applies to offences created under the laws of Anambra State, with the exception of murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and rape.
It reads in part, “Whereas, it has become necessary to operationalise and mainstream plea bargaining in the administration of criminal justice in Anambra State in furtherance of the provisions of Section 156 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Anambra State, 2022.
“And in the exercise of the powers vested in the Attorney General of the State by Section 211 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Sections 149 and 154 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Anambra State, 2022, I, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Anambra State, hereby issue the following Direction to all prosecutors in respect of offences created by the laws of the House of Assembly of Anambra State except those excluded hereinafter:
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“All defendants in a criminal trial shall, before or at the point of service of the charge or information on them, or at any time thereafter but prior to the taking of plea, be issued with a Plea Bargain Form by the prosecuting counsel or officer, a copy of which is hereto attached.
“The prosecuting counsel or officer shall notify the defendant that he or she has an option to plea bargain by completing the said Form.”
It added, “The Form when filled, shall be signed by the defendant and submitted to the Prosecutor or Ministry of Justice.
“Any charge or information initiated or prosecuted without issuance of the Plea Bargain Form to the defendant shall be deemed to have been brought contrary to this Direction and may be discontinued.
“All plea bargain agreements shall on the part of the Prosecution, except as otherwise directed by the Attorney General, either be signed, counter-signed or approved in writing by the head of the legal department of the prosecuting agency and in the case of law officers of the Ministry of Justice, by the Attorney General or any person authorized by him.
“Paragraphs 1-5 above shall not apply to the offences of rape, kidnapping, armed robbery and murder, and in any case, no plea bargain shall be entered into in respect of those offences without the express approval of the Attorney General.”
Under the plea bargain arrangement, a defendant who voluntarily pleads guilty to an offence may receive a lesser sentence as determined by the court.
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