The Daily Trust Foundation (DTF), in partnership with the Women’s Rights Advanced and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), Hamu Legal, and Bahama Chambers, has secured the release of 21 inmates from Kaduna and Katsina correctional centers by paying fines.
In Kaduna State, 17 inmates were released from the Kaduna Correctional Centre after DTF and its partners settled their fines, totalling N2.2 million.
Their offenses ranged from criminal conspiracy, trespassing, theft, and receiving stolen property.
Addressing the freed inmates, Dr Theophilus Abbah, Programme Director of Daily Trust Foundation, emphasized that the initiative aims to decongest correctional facilities and give minor offenders a second chance. He urged them to reintegrate positively into society.
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WRAPA’s Programme Officer, Paul Adama, reassured that the organization would continue providing legal support to facilitate similar interventions transparently.
In Katsina, four inmates were released with WRAPA and DTF’s intervention.
Among them was a first-time offender from Batsari who lost his parents in a bandits’ attack and was convicted of stealing N60,000.
Due to financial constraints, he could not pay a N10,000 fine and N60,000 compensation until DTF stepped in.
WRAPA’s Paul Adama reiterated that justice should be accessible to all, regardless of financial status.
The Assistant Controller of Corrections, Lawal Talle, commended DTF and its partners for helping indigent inmates while warning the released individuals against returning to crime.
