Nigeria : Over 4,000 Inmates Released

On instructions of the Nigerian Head of State, Bola Tinubu, over 4,068 inmates were on Saturday, November 18, 2023 released from prison across the nation in an effort to tackle overcrowding. “Yesterday, we flagged off the release of 4,068 of the 80,804 inmates in our 253 correctional facilities nationwide, who have been held in custody due to their inability to pay fines,” Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo posted in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. Prior to the release, the Minister visited the Kuje detention centre near the capital Abuja, where he noted with delight that the presidential prescriptions were well respected. Minister Tunji-Ojo explained that the government’s commitment to transform custodial and non-custodial facilities was initiated to align with international human rights standards and effective correctional practices, and was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision.
The ministry's spokesman, Ajibola Afonja told AFP that, “only inmates whose fines do not exceed one million naira have been chosen to benefit from this mass release.” He added that fines totaling 585 million naira have been cancelled. The funds for the release of the prisoners came from contributions by philanthropic individuals, groups, and corporate bodies rallied together, raising a total of N580m for this noble cause. Moreover, it’s n...