The Daily Trust Foundation, a subsidiary of Media Trust Limited, has paid N650,000 to the Nigerian Correctional Service for the release of 9 inmates in Nasarawa State.
Offences of the inmates both at the New and Old Correctional Centres in Lafia, the state capital, ranged from criminal conspiracy, trespassing, theft, receiving of stolen properties, among others.
They also received N5,000 each as transport fare back to their respective homes.
Addressing the released inmates shortly after a brief ceremony was held at the Lafia Correctional Center, Director of Daily Trust foundation, Dr. Theophilus Abba, explained that the gesture was aimed at decongesting correctional facilities in the country.
He added that the foundation was able to release the nine inmates because most of them had minor cases which required the payment of fines.
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His words, “Part of activities of the foundation is humanitarian interventions. Before now, we used to take food items and toilet materials to prison. But this time around, we want to expand our scope of intervention by paying fines for inmates whose cases were civil. The aim is to give back to the society as we also benefit.”
He, however, urged the released inmates to desist from any form of social vices that could bring them back to the correctional center as inmates.
According to Dr. Abba, “Now that you all have been released from the prison custody, you should go to your various homes and put into practice all the good skills and behaviors you learnt while in custody and be good ambassadors in your communities and the country as a whole.”
Responding, Controller of the Correctional Center in the state, Mr. Yunusa Ibraheem Ada, applauded the Daily Trust Foundation for paying the fines of inmates in the state, and for rendering humanitarian services to them.
Mr. Ibraheem, who was represented by the Assistant Controller of Corrections, Mr. Atangso Haruna, warned the released inmates to avoid being involved in any crime or criminality that might bring them back to prison.
“I want to use this opportunity to admonish you to put into use the good behaviors and the skills you have learnt while in the prison custody, and be good ambassador to your various communities,” he said.
Speaking to Daily Trust immediately after they were released, Muazu Umar, who spoke on behalf of the others, appreciated the Foundation for the gesture and pledged to henceforth, avoid all forms of crime.
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