Prison decongestion panel frees 165 inmates in Katsina

The national panel on prisons reform and decongestion has freed 165 inmates from Katsina Central prisons during its visit to the state.

A statement by the secretary of the committee, Leticia Ayoola-Daniels said among those freed was an 83-yearold disabled man, who was accused of attempted rape and had already spent three years and eight months on awaiting trial. He was released on grounds of old age and ill-health.

She said 49 convicts with minor offenses but unable to pay their fines also had their fines paid by the Katsina State Government, while a female inmate who was held for “intentional insult and provocation” had her fine of N50,000 paid by the Federal Ministry of Justice.