The Federal Government has commenced the release of 4,068 inmates who are unable to pay fines.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this in a post on his verified X handle on Sunday morning.
According to him, the Federal Government had concluded plans to release inmates in the nation’s 253 correctional facilities, who are being held in custody due to their inability to pay fines.
On Saturday, Tunji-Ojo explained that the Ministry flagged off the release of 4,068 out of the 80,804 affected inmates, saying “governance is not only about protecting the strong; it is also about protecting the weakest in the society.”
He noted that the Ministry had recently mobilised the private sector, as well as individuals to facilitate this initiative.
“Yesterday, we flagged off the release of 4068 of the 80,804 inmates in our 253 correctional facilities nationwide, who have been held in custody due to their inability to pay fines.
“In the last few weeks, we mobilised the private sector through Corporate Social Responsibility as well as individuals to facilitate this initiative.
“This is only a first step in the #RenewedHope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) to introduce global best practices, which include activating non-custodial measures in our correctional system,” he said.
