As part of the ongoing efforts to decongest the correctional centers and the courts, and to align with the ongoing reform of the criminal justice sector in the state, the Anambra State Government has offered plea bargain to all suspects standing criminal trial in the state, except those standing trial for the offences of murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and rape.

Under plea bargain, a defendant is required to plead guilty and be given a lesser sentence by the courts.

A statement issued by the Anambra Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, explained that the rare discretionary privilege is in line with the mandate of the Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

Further to this, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice issued a direction to all prosecutors in the state requiring them to issue the prescribed Plea Bargain Forms accompanying the direction to all defendants in criminal cases before plea is taken.

The direction dated 22nd July, 2026 applies to all offences created by the laws of the state, except the offences of murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and rape.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice noted that this will be the first time a state government will be taking such a bold step to offer plea bargain to large members of the society facing criminal trial.