The Daily Trust Foundation, of Media Trust Limited has paid the sum of N650,000 to the Nigerian Correctional Service for the release of nine inmates in Nasarawa State, as part of its Cooperate Social Responsibility to the country.
The inmates both at the New and Old Correctional Centres in Keffi and Lafia Local Government Areas of the state, whose offences ranged from criminal conspiracy, trespassing, 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 was held at the Lafia Correctional Center on Saturday, 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.
He said, “Part of activities of the foundation is humanitarian interventions. Before now, we used to take food items and toilet 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 the society as we also benefit.”
The Director of the foundation, therefore urged the released inmates to desist from any form of social vices that could bring them back to the correctional center as inmates.
According to Dr Abba, “Now that you all have been released from the prison custody, you should go to your various homes and put into practice all the good skills and behaviors 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.
One of the inmates who spoke with Journalists immediately after they were released, Muazu Umar, appreciated the Foundation for the gesture and pledged to henceforth, avoid all forms of crime.
