Federal Government Pays N585 Million Fine To Release 4,068 Prisoners Across Nigeria

The federal government has begun the payment of N585 million in fines to release 4,068 prisoners, who were stuck in prisons across Nigeria as couldn't pay the fines imposed by judges and magistrates in various custodial centers.

The amount was raised through philanthropic groups and corporate bodies as a part of their corporate social responsibility.

Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the initiative was taken to decongest correctional facilities in Nigeria. He visited the Kuje custodial center, from where 37 inmates were released Thursday.

"The federal government wants to decongest custodial centers and make them humane for proper reformation and rehabilitation of offenders to take place," he said, Punch reported. "The released inmates were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment with the option of fine and compensation and could not afford to pay their fines and are languishing in custody."

Tunji-Ojo disclosed that the government has already spent N13.4 million in Kano.

Only prisoners with fines of less than N1 million are eligible for the benefit. Each freed inmate was given N10,000 to help them return to their villages or hometowns.

"We have given the inmates requisite training aimed at impacting their lives functionally and equipping them with the knowledge and skills for their self-reliance upon discharge," the minister added.

He urged the freed prisoners to take this as a second chance in life to make things better and stay away from crime.

"Stay off crimes and join hands with our father, President Bola Tinubu, to make Nigeria a great nation," he added. "Abide by the instructions and training you have received while in custody and be good ambassadors in your communities."

Halliru Nababa, the controller general of Corrections, said the government's gesture of releasing prisoners will create a significant impact on other inmates across Nigeria.

Aside from this, Gombe State Chief Judge Justice Halima Mohammed also pardoned and freed 185 prisoners on the same day from five custodial facilities.

"Criminal Justice Reform Committee commends the Gombe State Government for supporting the committee's exercise, which is geared towards decongesting the custodial centers," Justice Mohammed said.