By Mu’azu Abubakar Albarkawa, Kaduna
As part of the effort to decongest the Correctional Centers, the Federal Government has settle N52m fines and compensation for the 399 inmates at various Correctional Centers across Kaduna State.
Dr. Ado Saleh, Comptroller of Correctional Service, Kaduna State disclosed this during the flag-off program of the initiative at Zaria on Monday.
Saleh said we are here to release 68 inmates from Zaria, Makarfi, Soba and Ikara Correctional Centers.
He said 110 inmates were earlier released at Kaduna; the ceremony in Zaria was a continuation of the program 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 N52m.
“The flag-off program is simultaneously taking place at Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaria was 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 Centers.
He added that each of the beneficiary (released inmate)would be given N10,000 to pay a transport fare.
Earlier, Mr Olubunmi Ojo, Minister of Interior said the initiative was to decongest the Correctional Centers by paying fines and compensations for inmates who are owing fines or compensation of One Naira to One Million Naira.
Ojo, represented by Mr John Otuka, Assistant Legal Adviser, Federal Ministry of Interior noted that facilities and the centres across the country were over stretch.
He added that the gesture was to reduce the number of inmates at the centers and leave the rest to the judiciary to act.
He said no fewer than 4068 inmates would benefit from the initiative across the country; if the minister seems it fit to continue he will rollout another beneficiaries.
While speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, Solomon Atambe, Resident of Railway Quarters, Sabon-Gari Zaria commended the federal for the gesture.
He urged the beneficiaries to reciprocates the gesture and sin-no-more and also urged them to utilize the skills they acquired while in the facility.
