The Federal Government has revealed that it raised N585 million towards settling fines for inmates, aiming to alleviate congestion in correctional centers across Nigeria. Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed the information during the release of 150 inmates in Kano, where their fines were settled.
The initiative is part of the President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with the goal of decongesting custodial centers and ensuring humane conditions for reformation and rehabilitation.
The minister’s representative, Dr. Anayo Romanus-Nzekwe, stated that the government intended to free 4,068 nationwide, addressing concerns raised by the interior minister about over 4,000 inmates unable to pay fines.
Out of the N585 million raised through philanthropy, the Federal Government spent N13.4 million in Kano, settling fines for the released inmates. Inmates with fines and compensation not exceeding N1 million are eligible for the gesture, and the government has provided them with training to enhance their functional skills and knowledge for self-reliance upon discharge.
Each freed inmate received N10,000 to facilitate their return to their homes and villages. The minister urged the public to welcome returning inmates without stigma, emphasizing the importance of a second chance and encouraging them to abstain from criminal activities.
In a similar effort, the Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Halima Mohammed, pardoned and freed 185 inmates in five custodial facilities. The release followed recommendations from the Criminal Justice Reform Committee, with the CJ emphasizing good behavior and patience for those awaiting trial.
The Controller General of Corrections, Mr. Halliru Nababa, commended the minister for securing the release of 150 inmates, acknowledging the positive impact on numerous lives across the country. The Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Halima Mohammed, also praised the state government’s support for the decongestion exercise.
