Daily Trust Foundation secures release of 9 inmates
The Daily Trust Foundation, a subsidiary of Media Trust Limited, has paid the sum of N650,000 to the Nigerian Correctional Service for the release of 9 inmates in Nasarawa State, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility to the country.
Five of the released inmates were from New and Old Correctional Centre, Keffi, while four others were from Lafia Correctional Centre.
Our correspondent reports that the inmates whose offences ranged from criminal conspiracy, trespass, theft, receiving of stolen properties, among others, also received N5,000 each as transport fare back to their respective homes.
Addressing the released inmates shortly after a brief ceremony at the Lafia Correctional Centre, the Director of Daily
Trust foundation, Dr Theophilus Abba, explained that the gesture was aimed at decongesting correctional facilities in the country.
He added that the foundation was able to release the nine inmates because most of them had minor cases, which required the payment of fines.
“Part of the activities of the foundation is humanitarian interventions. Before now, we used to take food items and sanitary materials to prison. But this time around, we want to expand our scope of intervention by paying fines for inmates whose cases were civil. The aim is to give back to society as we also benefit,” he said.
The Director of the foundation, however, urged the released inmates to desist from any form of social vices that could bring them back to the correctional centre as inmates.
He said: “Now that you all have been released from prison custody, you should go to your various homes and put into practice all the good skills and behaviours you learnt while in custody and be good ambassadors in your communities and the country as a whole.”
Responding, Controller of the Correctional Centre in the state, Mr Yunusa Ibraheem Ada, applauded the Daily Trust Foundation for paying the fines of inmates in the state, and for rendering humanitarian services to them.
Mr. Ibraheem, who was represented by the Assistant Controller of Corrections, Mr. Atangso Haruna, warned the released inmates to avoid being involved in any crime or criminality that might bring them back to the prison custody.
Speaking to Daily Trust immediately after they were released, Muazu Umar who spoke on behalf of the released inmates appreciated the Foundation for the gesture and pledged henceforth to avoid all forms of crime.