No fewer than 51 inmates of various Correctional Centres in Edo and Kano States have been released through the interventions of the Catholic Church in the two states.
The Point gathered that the convicted inmates were set free after the church paid their fines running to about N4.3million.
While the Archbishop of Benin City, Augustine Akubeze aided the release of 32 inmates from the Oko Medium Custodial Centre and Benin Correctional Centres in Benin City, the Bishop, Catholic
Diocese Kano, John
Niyiring facilitated facilitated the release of 19 prisoners from Goron
Dutse Correctional Centre in Kano Metropolis.
The correctional authorities had earlier beckoned on Archbishop Akubueze to intervene in decongesting the facilities.
Akubueze, during his homily at the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God on January 1, 2025, assured the inmates of God’s intervention in their lives during the year of Hope, as he however called on the inmates to become better citizens as they leave the correctional centres.
Also speaking, the Priest-in-Charge of Liturgy at both Correctional Centres, Gabriel Ejembi, disclosed that out of the 32 lucky inmates, 19 are from Oko while the remaining 13 are from correctional facility in Benin City.
Ejembi further hinted that the sum of N1.3 million was spent on the release of the inmates, including the preparation of food for over 2,400 persons for both correctional centres.
He acknowledged the efforts of Sir David Osunde Foundation, the major sponsor and everyone who contributed towards the success of the celebration.
Meanwhile, the inmates released in Kano State comprised of two females and 17 males and of both Christians and Muslims religions.
The were serving prison sentences due to various criminal offences when they could not raise the fine or compensation imposed on them by the trial courts.
Bishop Niyiring of Catholic Diocese of Kano said, already, 12 of the inmates have been set free, while seven of them still needed to be cleared by the court.
“We thank God that today, 12 of them have been set free, the remaining 7 will be set free on Friday after paperwork by the court. I hope that the lessons they have learned in the correctional centre will help
them to become better persons in the days to come,” the prelate stated.
He said the cost of freeing the 19 inmates is estimated at about N3 million which was raised by well meaning Catholics in the Diocese of Kano.
Expressing gratitude to the donors, the bishop said notable among them is Sir
Moses Gali KSS whom he described as a man who has the passion to enabling
people incarcerated to have their freedom.
He pointed out that the fines, which ranged from N5,000 to N500,000 have been
settled.
Food items were also distributed to over 2,500 other inmates by the church.
