The Nation Newspaper

Tag: inmates

  • FG flags off release of 4,068 inmates

    FG flags off release of 4,068 inmates

    The Federal Government has flagged off the release of 4,068 inmates from Correctional facilities across the country. 

    The flag-off launched at Kuje Medium Custodial Centre, Abuja was conducted by Minister of Interior,  Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. 

    The event was attended by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service,  NCoS,  Haliru Nababa,  the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi,  and Commandant General of Federal Fire Service,  FFS,  Abdulgaffar A Jaji amongst others dignitaries. 

    Tunji-Ojo said the release of 37 inmates from the Kuje Medium Custodial Centre marked the beginning of the release of a total of 4,068 inmates across the country in a programme designed to decongest Nigeria Correctional facilities and ensure smooth integration of the inmates back into their communities. 

    He explained N585m was raised by philanthropists, groups and corporate bodies as part of their corporate social responsibility to settle the fines of the 4,068 released inmates and pay compensation for them. 

    Read Also: Ex-female inmates get resettlement safe house

    According to him, inmates with more than N1m could not benefit from the gesture, noting that the over crowding nature of Nigeria Correctional facilities necessitated the push to decongest them.

    The Minister noted that in line with the President Bola Tinubu mantra of Renewed Hope, the inmates have been given a second opportunity to get back to track and contribute to the ongoing development of the country. He enjoined their relations and communities to ensure their smooth integration back into the society. 

    The Controller-General of the NCoS,  Haliru Nababa commended the present administration for setting positive agenda and narrative for the Correctional facilities in the country,  he noted that the gesture would rapidly decongest the facilities and make them more humane for habitation. 

  • Ex-female inmates get resettlement safe house

    Ex-female inmates get resettlement safe house

    The Centre for Legal Support and Inmate Rehabilitation (CELSIR) has partnered with “A New Way of Life” to launch a safe house (also known as ‘halfway home’) for formerly incarcerated women in Nigeria.

    The facility has a skills room, a library, a nursing room and an individual counselling space.

    It is designed to address post-incarceration challenges, including the burden of stigmatisation, lack of employment opportunities and the risk of re-incarceration.

    The unveiling of the safe house marks a pivotal moment in the journey of reformation and reintegration for former women inmates.

    Executive Director, Joke Aladesanmi, said CELSIR has emerged as a prominent force dedicated to the rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals over the last three years.

    It offers programmes aimed at facilitating their successful reintegration into society, enabling them to become self-reliant and valuable members of the community.

    According to Aladesanmi, 95 per cent of incarcerated individuals will eventually re-enter society, whether they have served their sentences or been discharged and acquitted.

    Aladesanmi believes the newly established safe house, named “The Ruby House”, which draws inspiration from the rich symbolism of the ruby colour, signifying qualities of compassion, strength, and courage, would act as a bridge.

    She said: “The Ruby House stands as a shelter for formerly incarcerated women, offering them a haven to embark on the journey of reintegrating into society.

    Read Also: Use N50m to improve inmates’ welfare, Falana urges Minister of Interior

    “Here, they are equipped with the essential skills and support needed to foster independence and pave the way for a brighter and empowered future as they navigate their path to societal reintegration.

    “The Ruby Safe House, designed to accommodate 15 residents with comfort, adopts a holistic approach to the rehabilitation of formerly incarcerated women.

    “The facility includes specialised areas such as a skills room, a library, and an individual counselling space, fostering an environment conducive to comprehensive recovery.

    “A designated room has been allocated to provide privacy for nursing mothers and pregnant women, recognising and catering to their specific needs.

    “This thoughtful design ensures that the Safe House is not just a residence but a supportive and tailored environment for the diverse needs of its residents.”

    CELSIR and A New Way of Life said they are united in their commitment to breaking the cycle of recidivism (re-offending) and ensuring that every individual, regardless of their past, is granted the opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society.

    They are committed to helping inmates rebuild their lives and find their footing in society.

    “This groundbreaking initiative marks a significant first step, and we are eager to embark on further endeavours.

    “We aim to inspire compassionate organisations and individuals to participate in the noble cause of rehabilitating and reintegrating formerly incarcerated individuals, thus paving the way for a saner society.

    “CELSIR unwaveringly upholds its dedication to providing comprehensive rehabilitation and reentry support for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals,” Aladesanmi added.

  • Fed Govt to pay N500m fine on 4,000 inmates’ freedom

    Fed Govt to pay N500m fine on 4,000 inmates’ freedom

    Relief may soon come for some indigent inmates.

    The Federal Government yesterday said it would settle their N500 million fines to regain their freedom.

    Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who dropped the hint, said 4000 inmates would, in the next four weeks, be released from correctional facilities across the country.

    The fines, the minister assured, would be cleared within the next four weeks.

    The minister, who spoke on a monitored television programme, lamented that many inmates remained in custodial facilities because of their inability to pay the fines and penalties awarded against them.

    Read Also: Alternative routes as Third Mainland Bridge shuts down for 24hrs

    He disclosed that he had met with some private organisations, with a view to raising the money.

    Tunji-Ojo said: “The ministry, as well as other stakeholders are working round the clock to raise the money. Within in the next four weeks, the fines would be cleared and the inmates would be released.

    “Immediately I resumed, I set up a committee to review the situation at our correctional centres. We discovered that over 4,000 inmates are in custody due to their inability to pay fines, which is about N500 million. We have gone far with private organisations to put this money together.

    “I am sure that within the next four weeks, we will be able to pay these fines for the 4,000 inmates. This will help us in decongesting our custodial centres.”

    The minister said the decongestion of the correctional facilities is not the sole responsibility of the ministry.

    Tunji Ojo also said he had been discussing with the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, (SAN) to address the challenge of awaiting trial inmates.

    He added:  “The decongestion of our custodial centres is not the sole responsibility of the ministry. We are in talks with the AGF to see how cases can be expedited.  We have also activated the non-custodial centres to decongest the custodial centres.”

  • Freedom for four inmates in Akwa Ibom

    The Prisons Officers’ Wives’ Association (PROWA) has secured the release of four inmates from Uyo  and Ikot Ekpene Prisons in Akwa Ibom State after paying stipulated fines.

    The Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Josiah Ogbajie revealed this in a statement in Uyo on Wednesday.

    Ogbajie said the fines were paid by PROWA President Hajiya Gwamma Ja’afaru.

    “Today, April 17, 2019, the President, Prisons Officers’ Wives Association and wife of the Controller-General of NPS, Hajiya Gwamma Ja’afaru, secured the release of four inmates at Uyo and Ikot Ekpene Medium Security Prisons.

    “The inmates were released with the payment of fines by the president. The association has so far released a total of 221 inmates nation-wide since the inception of Ja’afaru-led administration,” he said, adding that Ja’afaru was represented by Mrs Mary Obep, National Treasurer of the association.

    He said the PROWA Presiden urged NPS officers to support their wives to embrace various skill acquisition programmes of the association.

    He said Ja’fa’ru also solicited the support of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders in order to empower more women and inmates of prisons across the country.

     

  • 105 inmates escape from Brazilian prison – reports

    At least 105 inmates escaped from a prison in eastern Brazil on Monday, local media reported.

    Thirty-three of the inmates from Romeu Goncalves Abrantes prison in the city of Joao Pessoa were recaptured soon afterwards.

    The fugitives were helped by people outside, who blew up the gate of the prison, according to the daily Folha de Sao Paulo.

    The helpers wanted to release four inmates, who had been convicted of robberies of money transport vehicles and bank tellers, the news portal G1 reported.

    The fugitives shot a police officer in his head and currently in serious condition.

    Escapes and mutinies are common in Brazil’s overcrowded prisons, which hold more than 726,000 inmates, about twice as many as they were built for.

    The Romeu Goncalves Abrantes prison had room for 654 inmates but housed 680.

  • Sallah : Ganduje frees 170 inmates

    The Kano State Governor Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Tuesday granted amnesty to 170 prison inmates in the state.

    Ganduje , who effect the release of the inmates from Goron Dutse Prison, said the gesture was in the spirit of Eid-El Kabir.

    He said that the release of the inmated was to complement Federal Government’s directive in decongesting the nation’s prisons.

    Ganduje, maintained that the gesture was in conformity with President Muhammadu Buhari directive to all Governors to as a matter of urgency decongest prisons across the country.

    According to him, since the inception of his administration in 2015, about 2000 inmates have been granted freedom.

    Read Also: 157 inmates set to write WASSCE, as two pursue PhD

    He advised the ex-inmates to change their attitudes to life and pray for peace and stability in Nigeria.

    Ganduje,also gave each of the freed inmates N5,000 as transport fare to their respective destination.

    Earlier, the Comptroller of Prisons in Kano, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji, thanked the governor for freeing about 2,000 inmates since his coming into office.

    Magaji advised the freed inmates to indulge and stay away from crimes to avoid going back to prison.

    Some of the freed inmates who spoke ,hailed the State Government for the gesture and promised to shun crimes.

  • Don’t execute 2, 359 inmates, CURE-Nigeria urges FG

    A group, Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE-Nigeria), has appealed to the Federal Government against execution of 2, 359 prison inmates on death row in different prisons across the country.

    In a statement by its executive director, Sylvester Uhaa, the group condemned recent discussions between the presidency and state governors considering approval for execution of the inmates.

    The organisation championing the cause of prison inmates said: “It is quite worrying Nigeria is contemplating executing people at a time nations of the world are doing away with the death penalty and trying to find permanent and workable solutions to reducing violent crime.

    “It is not true, as claimed by the governors and the Attorney-General of the Federation that death row inmates in Nigeria pose the greatest security risk to the prison service and society because they constitute about two percent of the prison population.”

    It went on: “It is awaiting trial inmates, who constitute over 70 percent of our prison population, that pose the greatest security threat to the prisons, their host communities and to the nation at large.

    “So, if the governors and Federal Government are serious about finding solutions to the problems hindering the effective management of prisons, they should decongest and invest in prison education and other rehabilitation programs, access to justice, and crime prevention, not planning to carry out mass executions.

    “The death penalty is not a deterrent to violent crime and is only propagated by people who are reluctant to address the root causes of crime but want to create a false impression that they are serious about fighting crime.

    “As you know Nigeria has the highest number of people on death row in West Africa. This invariably means that Nigeria has the highest violent crime rate in the region.”

     

  • NGO provides succour for inmates

    A church, the House on the Rock , through its non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Prison Ministry, has vowed to help reintegrate prisoners into the society when they are released.

    Its Director, Reverend Joe Uleato, said the organisation would work with the Nigerian Prisons, Ikoyi on reformation and re-integration of the inmates.

    He urged the inmates not to lose hope but to take advantage of the various programmes they were exposed to while in prison so as to contribute positively to the society.

    Uleato spoke at the commissioning of a block of seven toilets donated to the Nigerian Prisons, Ikoyi as part of the efforts to provide healthy living environment for the inmates.

    Uleato told them to see their present situation as pre-destined and from which they can journey into a brighter future once they regain freedom.

    “It is not finished for you yet. The prison is just a bus stop for you. The future lies ahead and God will bring that expectation to pass,” he said.

    He made reference to a former leader who became President after being released from prison.

    The Deputy Controller of Prisons (DCP) Ikoyi Prisons, Mr Tolu Ogunsakin, praised the Controller General of Prisons Mr  Ja Afaru Ahmed and the Controller of Prisons Lagos State (CP) Mr Tunde Ladipo  for  equipping Ikoyi Prison  with CCTV camera and rehabilitating the facility.

    According to him, the welfare of prison inmates across the country is of utmost concern to the Controller General of Prisons, adding that this was why he spared no effort in ensuring a healthy environment for them.

    Ogunsakin praised the House on the Rock, for its support to the inmates in form of legal and medical aid, talent hunt shows and skills acquisition, through the church’s Prison Ministry headed by Deacon Dayo Olaiya.

    He emphasised that the spiritual contributions of the Prison Ministry has helped in the reformation objectives.

    He said: “When they hear the words of God, they cool down and it gives them hope of a better tomorrow.”

    Assistant Director, Prison Ministry, Pastor Andy Jibunor, explained that the organisation partnered with Prison authority to ensure transformation of the inmates.

    Jibunor said their activities were not limited to Ikoyi Prisons but to other prison facilities in the state.

    The event also featured a novelty football match between House on the Rock Football Club and Ikoyi Prison inmates. The church won 3-1.

  • SMEDAN to train 52 inmates on entrepreneurial skills

    The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria ( SMEDAN ) is set to equip 52 inmates with entrepreneurial skills toward improving their lives and the nation’s socio-economic state.

    Mr Yinka Fisher, Lagos State Coordinator of SMEDAN, made the disclosure in an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday in Lagos.

    Fisher said that the empowerment programme for the inmates would assist them to reintegrate successfully into society after prison, become self-reliant and live a productive life.

    He said the programme would be done in collaboration with the Nigerian Prison Service, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria ( PFN ) and Covenant University.

    According to him, the training will hold from May to December at the Kirikiri and Ikoyi Prisons for both male and female inmates.

    “The essence of the programme is to equip the inmates with relevant skills so that they would not be vagabonds in the system again but establish their own businesses and engage in useful socio-economic ventures, thereby contributing their own quota to our national development.

    “The programme has been on since 2009. Overtime, we have been able to train 576 inmates of which 230 have been released and 146 among the released inmates have been able to start their own businesses.

    “They are now employers of labour and helping to solve the problem of unemployment in the country,’’ he said.

    Fisher said that SMEDAN would train inmates in tailoring, shoemaking, tie and dye and other vocations, teach them how to turn the vocations to enterprise and instil in them financial literacy.

    “We are going to teach them in eight different modules; how to run efficient and profitable business, writing of business plans, how to network, access to finance, meeting with regulatory authority, investment opportunities and avoiding pitfalls in business.

    “There is business venture in the prison where they can practise what they have been taught and after their release, they can implement them properly,’’ Fisher said.

    According to him, while SMEDAN focuses on the vocational skills acquisition; Covenant University will handle the psychology aspect through therapy and counselling, while Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria will focus on spiritual uplifting.

    “Through the exposure at the training, prison inmates would be returning to the society not as social misfits but reformed and well equipped personalities with skills that would enable them settle down to a productive lifestyle,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Lagos to intervene in indigent Kirikiri Prison inmates’ cases, challenges

    Lagos to intervene in indigent Kirikiri Prison inmates’ cases, challenges

    As part of its commitment to protect the fundamental rights of its citizens irrespective of their status, the Lagos State government has resolved to intervene in the cases of indigent  Kirikiri Prison inmates without legal representation and other challenges.

    The inmates were identified and shortlisted for intervention when the Directorate of Citizens’ Rights under the Lagos State Ministry of Justice visited the prison. Speaking after the visit, the Director of the Directorate, Mrs Omololu Idowu Adesina, said: “The visit was one of our quarterly activities. We visit prisons to see the appropriateness of the detainees, the awaiting trial inmates and the conditions of the prisons.

    “Some of the inmates have health issues, some of them just need our intervention to get out of the prison. Some of them have bail conditions that they cannot meet, at times we can help.  It could even just require us to contact their people for them to take up their matters in the way of providing sureties and all that.”

    She said the directorate is intervening for over 20 inmates in all and that include those who no have no legal representation, adding: “

    “When the police arrest people and they are detained by the order of court, their parents or guardians may not know.

    When this kind of situation arises, it is now the duty of agencies of government  to intervene. That is why the OPD has been established to defend the defenceless or people that have no money to defend themselves.  Our office is to defend indigent citizens, people who no money because to employ the services of a lawyer doesn’t come cheap. That is why we do it free of charge.”

    She remarked that many inmates will rot in the prison if the state government is not rendering the service through the directorate  “because there would be nobody to defend them.”

    She cautioned that the gesture is in not in any way meant to encourage crime.