₦airaland Forum

The Federal Government has commenced the release of 4,068 inmates languishing in correctional facilities across the country over the inability to pay fines.

The government said N585 m was raised by cooperate bodies as Corporate Social Responsibility for that purpose.

Speaking during the flag-off of the programme on Saturday, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the initiative is part of the efforts to decongest prisons in the country.

He said, “It’s with great pleasure that I stand with you today to flag off the release of 4,068 inmates sentenced to various terms of imprisonment with the option of fine and compensation in custodial status nationwide. This is in a bid to decongest custodial centres as well as make ready proper reformation and rehabilitation of offenders to take place

“As of yesterday, November 17, 2023, there were about 80,804 inmates in 253 custodial facilities nationwide with a total installed capacity of less than 50,000. It shows that our custodial centres are overcrowded, necessitating this initiative we are flagging off today,”


The minister said inmates with over N1 million in fines will not benefit from the programme.

Tunji-Ojo added that a stipend would be given to support benefiting inmates


He said, “Most of the inmates are indigents who cannot afford to pay their fine languishing in custody. The total fund of N585 million was raised by cooperate bodies as Corporate Social Responsibility for this purpose.

“Hence, all inmates in custodial centres who have fines or compensation not exceeding 1 million are qualified and will benefit from this gesture. In addition, we are also providing each of them a stipend to enable them to stand in their community.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/fg-raises-n585m-to-pay-fines-for-inmates/%3famp

Fg raises N585m to help pay fines for inmates on bail but unable to pay the stipulated amount. This is a strategy ment to help decongest the correctional centers

Good news everywhere
Thank you Interior Minister

Fg raises N585m to help pay fines of inmates on bail but unable to pay the stipulated amount. This is a strategy is ment to help decongest the correctional centers.

A very good initiative by the FG and for the fact that the money was raised from organizations as part of their corporate social responsibility is a good one.

Thanks to President Bola Amhed Tinubu for appointing a competent leader Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo as Interior Minister

Inmates detained illegally have finally gotten another chance all thanks to the Honorable Minister of Interior.

Most of the benefiting inmates now at the verge of their freedom are indigents who could not afford to pay their fines and were in custody. They can now carry on with their lives and careers. Thank you for your selfless effort sir @BTOofficial

This interior minister keeps working

He will decongest the Prison

Make money for Government from Corporate Social Responsibility of Companies like MTN

Free innocent people

Still give them chikeni money for transport

.

These people with minor case but not convicted or grant justice. Or could not pay fines accrued to their offences. Salutation goes to PBAT for granting this privilege and BTO for spare heading this project.

You're doing very well sir

"We are not just releasing them to their fates. We are also giving them requisite training. " Hon. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo

Joyce95:
Thanks to President Bola Amhed Tinubu for appointing a competent leader Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo as Interior Minister

Do you know if this is a ploy to siphon the money? Politicians are not generous.

The innocent inmates have to gain there freedom, thank to Hon Olubunmi Tunji Ojo for bringing this opportunity for the innocent inmates to be free

This initiative can only be done by someone with a good heart. Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has proven himself beyond just being a minister but also being a good leader. I know president Bola Tinubu will be proud of him.