The Federal Government has released 150 inmates sentenced on various terms of imprisonment with the option of fine or compensation in custodial centres in Kano State out of the 4,068 nationwide.
This is as the Gombe State Chief Judge, Justice Halima Sadiya Mohammed, has released 182 inmates from Custodial Centres under the Gombe State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo while flagging off the exercise at the Kano Maximum Security Custodial Centre said the pardon is in a bid to decongest Custodial Centres and make them humane for proper reformation and rehabilitation of offenders to take place.
Represented by Dr Nzekwe Romanus Anayo from the Ministry, the minister said, “Most of the benefitting inmates were on the verge of their freedom and are indigents who cannot afford to pay their fines and are languishing in custody.
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“The sum of N585bn was raised by philanthropic individuals, groups and corporate bodies, as part of their corporate social responsibility, for this purpose nationwide, out of which the sum of 13,436,780.00 was spent in Kano State.
He said the exercise is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mantra of Renewed Hope, saying the benefitting inmates have been given a second opportunity to get back on track and contribute to the ongoing development of the nation.
The Controller General of Corrections Halliru Nababa acknowledged the Minister’s dedication and commitment to the cause of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates back to the society as law abiding citizens.
In Gombe the 182 inmates regained freedom following the intervention of a Criminal Justice Reform Committee chaired by the chief judge.
Justice Halima said a total of 141 inmates were released from the Gombe Minimum Security Custodial Centre, explaining that 45 inmates were unconditionally released, “because they were awaiting trial for a long time over minor offences, 85 inmates released on bail and 11 others were found to be of good behaviours after they were detained and stayed longer period in the custodial centre.”
The chief judge said that 41 were released from the Billiri Custodial Centre, 10 inmates were unconditionally released, 20 were released on bail and 11 others released because of good behaviour, having been detained for a long time.
“At the end of the three days exercise, a total of 182 inmates were released, 55 were released unconditionally, 105 released on bail, while 22 inmates serving terms for various offences were released because their show good behaviour while serving their respective terms,” she said.
The Comptroller of the Gombe State Command of NCoS, Lawan Idris Gusau, commended the chief judge and the Criminal Justice Reform Committee, Gombe for approving the release of the 182 inmates.
