31 inmates have been released from the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Kano State.
In a statement by the Special Assistant to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Gwandu, the Presidential Committee on Correctional Centres Reform and Decongestion facilitated the release of the inmates during its visit to the Kano correctional centres.
The Committee was in Kano for an on-the-spot assessment of condition of Correctional Centres and inmates, with a view to making payment of fines for inmates who were convicted of minor offences with option of fines, but unable to pay the fines, as well as general review of peculiar cases.
During the visits, 19 inmates were released through payment of fines by the Federal Ministry of Justice, 3 were released through payment of fines by the Buni Yadi Foundation, 2 were released through payment made by Policy Vault Africa, while 7 inmates were released due to old age.
Meanwhile, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has granted state pardon to one Rahama Husseini who had been in custody for 7 years at the age of 14 and was alleged to have been forcibly married off to her husband who died while attempting to consummate the marriage.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, had on the 30th October 2017, inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Correctional Reforms and Decongestion.
Over 10,000 inmates have been released through the Committee.
RN