The Federal Government has settled N52m in fines and compensation for 399 inmates at various correctional centres across Kaduna State as part of its efforts to decongest the centres.
The Comptroller of Correctional Service, Kaduna State, Dr Ado Saleh, disclosed this during the inauguration of the initiative at Zaria on Monday.
Saleh said, “We are here to release 68 inmates from Zaria, Makarfi, Soba and Ikara Correctional Centres.”
He said that 110 inmates were earlier released at Kaduna, adding that the ceremony in Zaria was a continuation of the programme that was designed and implemented by the Federal Government.
“In total, 399 inmates in Kaduna State were marked to be released at the cost of N52million.
“The commencement of the programme is simultaneously taking place at Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaria to see the release of 281 across the state.
“Of the 281 to be released across Kaduna State during the ceremony 68 inmates were from Zaria Zone,” he said.
The comptroller explained that of the 68 inmates, 43 were from Zaria, 19 from Soba, 5 from Makarfi, and 19 were from Ikara Correctional Centres.
He added that each of the beneficiaries would be given N10,000 to pay as transport fare.
Earlier, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Ojo, said the initiative was to decongest the Correctional Centres by paying the fines and compensations for inmates who were owing fines or compensation of one Naira to one million Naira.
Ojo, represented by Assistant Legal Adviser, Federal Ministry of Interior, John Otsuka, said that facilities and centres across the country were overstretched.
He added that the gesture was to reduce the number of inmates at the centres and leave the rest to the judiciary to act.
Ojo said that no fewer than 4068 inmates would benefit from the initiative across the country.
While speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Solomon Atambe, a resident of Railway Quarters, Sabon-Gari-Zaria, commended the Federal Government for the invaluable gesture.
He urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture and “sin no more,” urging them to utilise the skills they acquired while in the facility.
NAN
