As part of an effort to decongest custodial centers nationwide, the Federal Government has flagged off the release of 4,068 inmates sentenced to various terms of imprisonment with the option of a fine and compensation.
Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, who performed the symbolic release of the inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, Abuja, on Saturday, said the aim was to decongest custodial centers across the country and make them humane for proper reformation and rehabilitation of offenders to take place.
“Today, we flagged off the release of a total of 4,068 inmates who are serving different terms of imprisonment instead of fines or compensation.”
“As of Friday, November 17, 2023, there were about 80,804 inmates in 253 custodial facilities nationwide, and the total installed capacity for the 253 custodial centers adds up to less than 50,000.
“The Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, where 37 of the beneficiary inmates were released, has the installed capacity to hold 560 inmates, but currently, a total of 730 inmates are being held there. He added that out of the 730 inmates, 565 of them are awaiting trial,” he said.
He said the figure showed that the custodial facilities are overcrowded, necessitating the commencement of the initiative, which is targeted towards addressing the overcrowding conundrum bedeviling custodial centers and their reformatory functions.
He noted that most of the inmates granted freedoms are indigents who could not afford to pay their fines and have been languishing in custody, explained that N585 million was raised by philanthropic individuals, groups, and corporate bodies to release the inmates.
“Hence, all inmates in custodial centers who have fines or compensation not exceeding one million nairas are qualified and would benefit from this gesture.
“In addition, we are also providing each of them a stipend to enable them to return to their communities,” he added.
Tunji-Ojo called for reform in the criminal justice administration to allow for speedy dispensation of justice and noted that a large number of inmates in custodial centers are awaiting trial.
He charged the benefiting inmates to see their freedom as a second chance to reform, advising them to stay away from crime and join hands with President Tinubu to make Nigeria a great nation.
Tunji-Ojo disclosed that the Federal Government ensured that the beneficiary inmates were given requisite training aimed at impacting their lives functionally and equipping them with the knowledge for their self-reliance upon discharge.
The minister urged the inmates to abide by the instructions and training they had received while in custody and to be good ambassadors in their communities.
“It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its custodial facilities,” he said.
“In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mantra of renewed hope, the benefiting inmates have been given a second opportunity to get back on track and contribute to the ongoing development of our dear nation,” he said.
He reiterated the commitment of the current administration to the welfare of inmates and transform custodial and non-custodial facilities to ensure compliance with international human rights standards.
Tunji-Ojo called on the larger community to receive these returning citizens with open arms and refrain from stigmatizing them, as it could drive them back to offending the law, which would further endanger society.
The Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa, said the release of the inmates was in line with the commitment of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to sustain the ongoing reforms in the paramilitary services in the country.
He noted that overcrowding of inmates has been a perennial challenge faced by the NCoS, and noted that the federal government gesture would go a long way to decongest the custodial centers across the country.
Nababa listed some of the skills acquired by the inmates while in the facility including plumbing, building construction, soap-making, artwork, carpentry, fishery, poultry, and tailoring, adding that it would enable them to reintegrate effectively into society.
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