Over 12,000 inmates freed in 6 years – FG

The Federal Government yesterday said over 12,000 inmates were released from various correctional centres in the last six years in line with the policy of prison decongestion.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, disclosed this in Abuja at the 2023 budget defence session with the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

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He said, “When this government came on board in 2015, the problem of prison congestions was at the front burner of national discourse, which made President Muhammadu Buhari to set machineries in motion for required solution.

“One of such machineries set in motion was a presidential committee for prison decongestion. The committee liaised with other stakeholders in the justice sector for way out.

“Aside the committee, Mr President himself also wrote letters to the 36 states governors and chief judges of the states for required visitations to prisons and exercise of prerogative of mercies from time to time.

“In one of such visitations made by the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, about 500 inmates were granted pardon in one day, totality of which had led to release of over 12, 000 inmates across the country within the last six years.

“Special attention was given to awaiting trial persons, who constitute the bulk of the inmates across the various correctional centres in the country by taking magistrates and judges to the centres for on-the-spot dispensation of justice.”