**Man Wrongfully Imprisoned for 8 Months Over Phone Dispute: Legal Aid Team Secures Release After 2-Year Battle**
Uche, a 26-year-old petty trader from Eastern Nigeria, was caught in a legal nightmare following a misunderstanding with his girlfriend in August 2018. After the woman visited him and accidentally left her phone at his apartment, a dispute arose when she returned and accused him of attempting to steal it. Her accusations led to Uche being dragged to the local police station.
Despite Uche’s explanation that he had no way to contact her when he found the phone, the police demanded a bail fee of N10,000, which he couldn't afford as he had just spent his last money on lunch. The police handed the phone back to the woman but still charged Uche with theft. Despite the woman’s refusal to pursue the case, Uche was remanded in prison and faced court charges.
Headfort Foundation’s Legal Aid Team intervened during a prison visit in August 2018, taking up Uche's case. Through their “Bail the Indigent” project, they secured his bail in April 2019, allowing him to attend court proceedings from home. After multiple adjournments and with no evidence or witnesses presented, the court eventually dismissed the case for lack of diligent prosecution. Uche endured 8 months in prison and a grueling 2-year legal struggle over a phone valued N25,000.
