The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Interior, has freed 150 inmates from the Maximum Security Custodial Centre Janguza in Kano State.
The Assistant Director in the Ministry, Dr Anayo Nzekwe stated this while releasing the inmates in Kano, saying that the release of 150 inmates out of the 4,068 nationwide was part of President Bola Tinubu’s mantra of renewed hope.
He highlighted that the released inmates were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment with the option of a fine and compensation but cannot afford to pay their fines and are languishing in custody.
Dr Nzekwe maintained that the federal government wants to decongest custodial centers and make them humane for proper reformation and rehabilitation of offenders to take place.
“The sum of N13.4 million was spent in Kano State out of N585 million raised by philanthropic individuals, groups, and corporate bodies as part of their corporate social responsibility for this purpose nationwide.’’
Dr Nzekwe who was speaking on behalf of the Minister of the Ministry of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, called on the public communities to receive the returning citizens (inmates) with open arms and refrain from stigmatising them, as it could drive them back to committing an offense, which would further endanger the society.
The Controller General of Corrections, Halliru Nababa, represented by the Controller of Corrections, Kano State Command, Suleiman Inuwa, urged the freed inmates not to return to crime, and to make judicious use of the transport fare given to them, to start a small business that would help them earn a living.
Speaking on behalf of the released inmates, Usman Yusuf, thanked the federal government for setting them free and pledged not to go back to crime.
