Uche Nnoli, 40, regained his freedom on Thursday after awaiting trial for seven years at the Onitsha Correctional Centre, Anambra State.

Nnoli, a native of Nteje in the Oyi Local Government Area of the state, ended up in the Onitsha Correctional Centre due to a community conflict.

While in prison, Nnoli was moved to the Ogwashi Ukwu Correctional Centre in Delta State and later returned to the Onitsha Correctional Centre, where he was finally freed, despite the involvement of a human rights group.

He secured his release with the help of the Human Rights Protection Service, with headquarters in Naples in the United States of America, which offered him free legal representation.

Speaking to newsmen during Nnoli’s release on Thursday, Prince Chinedu Ekwunife, Chairman of the Anambra State chapter of the Human Rights Protection Service, disclosed that Nnoli's case was brought to their attention when his wife and mother reported his continuous detention without hearing to them, and they took over the matter.

Ekwunife said, Despite our efforts to reach Onitsha Correctional Centre, we learned that Nnoli had been transferred to Ogwashi Ukwu Correctional Centre in Delta State, outside our jurisdiction.

With the help of our legal team, Nnoli was transferred back to the Onitsha Correctional Centre. The case was subsequently filed before Otuocha High Court 2, presided over by Justice Okey Onunkwu. After a thorough review, the judge dismissed the charges.

Following his reunion with his family, we express our sincere appreciation to the presiding judge and the Nigerian judiciary for upholding the rights of the common man. This case serves as a powerful reminder that the law protects the rights of all citizens, regardless of their social standing.