The federal government on Saturday paid the fine for the release of 11 inmates in four custodial centres in Enugu State.

The gesture was in line with the government’s initiative to decongest overcrowded custodial centres nationwide.

The four custodial centres included Enugu, Nsukka and Oji River Custodial Centres and Ibiteolo Farm Centre in Ezeagu Local Government Area.

Announcing the release of the inmates, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the inmates were among the 4,068 sentenced to various terms of imprisonment with the option of fine and compensation. 

Mr Tunji-Ojo, represented by Ogechi Ogu, the deputy director of the Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, said the initiative was to decongest the centres and make them humane “for proper reformation and rehabilitation of offenders to take place.”

According to him, the 4,068 inmates are serving different terms of imprisonment in lieu of fines and/or compensation.

He said most benefiting inmates on the verge of their freedom were indigent, who could not afford to pay their fines, hence, were languishing in custody.

“The sum of N585 million was raised by philanthropic individuals, groups and corporate bodies, as part of their corporate social responsibility, for this purpose.

“Hence, all inmates in custodial centres who have fines and/or compensation not exceeding N1 million are qualified and would benefit from this gesture.

“In addition, we are providing each of them a stipend of N10,000 to enable them to return to their communities,” the minister said.

He further said that in line with President Bola Tinubu’s mantra of Renewed Hope, the benefiting inmates had been given a second opportunity to get back on track and contribute to the ongoing national development.

He thanked all the stakeholders who facilitated the gesture as their corporate social responsibility.

Earlier, the controller of corrections in the state, Nicholas Obiako, thanked the federal government and the minister on behalf of the controller-general of corrections, Haliru Nababa, for paying the fines and ensuring the release of the inmates.

A beneficiary, Maduabuchi Okonkwo, thanked the president, minister and other stakeholders who worked for their release.

(NAN)