The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has disclosed that the Federal Government is set to pay N500 million in order to secure the release of 4,000 inmates from correctional facilities across Nigeria. Tunji-Ojo made this announcement during an interview with Arise TV on Thursday.
In addressing the issue of prison overcrowding, the minister explained that there are currently 4,000 inmates in custody solely because they are unable to pay a combined fine of over five hundred million naira. He gave his assurance that these inmates would be released within the next four weeks.
Tunji-Ojo stated, “Upon assuming office, one of my first actions was to establish a committee to assess the situation in our correctional centres. We identified that over 4,000 inmates, as previously mentioned, were still incarcerated due to their inability to pay fines amounting to approximately five hundred million naira.
I am pleased to report that we have made significant progress in collaborating with the private sector through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to gather the necessary funds.
By the grace of God, within the next month, we will have settled the fines for over 4,000 individuals, thus reducing the current inmate population from 79,000 to 75,000.”
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