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By Tayo ABIOLA
In continuation of its efforts to decongest the correctional centres, the Federal Government has settled N52m fines and compensation for 399 inmates at various centres across Kaduna State.
Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, disclosed during the Inauguration of the initiative at Zaria on Monday.
Ojo, represented by Mr John Otuka, Assistant Legal Adviser, Federal Ministry of Interior, 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.
According to the minister, facilities and the centres across the country were over-stretched.
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.
Dr Ado Saleh, Comptroller of Correctional Service, Kaduna State, said, “We are here to release 68 inmates from Zaria, Makarfi, Soba and Ikara Correctional Centres.”
Saleh said, “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 in mates 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.
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.
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