By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Following alleged security threat around prisons in Anambra State, cases involving witnesses currently in detention in correctional centres in the state were on Friday put on hold in various courts.

To this end, lawyers who were to either examine or cross examine such witnesses in detention were alarmed when they did not see prison officials and their witnesses in court.

For instance, a prosecuting counsel in one of the courts around the commercial city of Onitsha lamented before a presiding Chief Magistrate that it was not even clear how long the order arising from the security alarm might last.

He explained that the only detained witnesses that might appear in court in the interim were those in police custody.

A source who spoke on the issue told News Express: “Many cases have been adjourned because of security challenges around correctional centres. The absence of the Awaiting Trial Men (ATM) who were supposed to appear in courts for their cases could not do so as there is a standing order from the prison officials that no detainee would leave the correctional centre for any place outside the prison walls.

“For any ATM to be taken out of the correctional centre for any reason for now must be by a special arrangement, which may not be easy to make.”

It was however learnt that some courts have, however, decided that hearing of cases would continue in the absence of the witnesses to avoid unnecessary delay of trial.