Kaduna Pays N100,000 Each To 97 Freed Inmates

The Kaduna State Government has commenced the disbursement of N100,000 to each of the 97 former inmates recently granted clemencyby Governor Uba Sani, as part of efforts to support their reintegration into society and discourage a return to crime.

The payments were made on Friday at the Kaduna Medium Security Custodial Centre, fulfilling the governor’s commitment to provide financial assistance to the beneficiaries after their release on June 12 to commemorate Democracy Day.

The former inmates were released under Governor Sani’s constitutional prerogative of mercy, with the state government also settling court-imposed fines for some of the beneficiaries to facilitate their freedom.

Speaking during the disbursement, the Assistant Controller of the custodial centre, Dalhat Ibrahim, described the initiative as a significant step towards strengthening rehabilitation and reintegration efforts.

According to him, the financial support would enable the beneficiaries to rebuild their lives and reduce the chances of reoffending.

“By paying the fines of the inmates and giving them financial assistance, this will encourage them to go and do what they are supposed to do. They are now set to be reintegrated into society,” Ibrahim said.

He noted that the gesture aligns with the Nigerian Correctional Service’s mandate of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration, urging the beneficiaries to invest the money in small businesses or other productive ventures rather than return to criminal activities.

Also speaking, the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Protocol, Mohammed Suleiman, said the disbursement represented the final phase of the clemency programme announced on Democracy Day.

“We are here as part of the last leg of the clemency granted to some inmates on June 12,” Suleiman said.

“We are fulfilling the Governor’s promise by extending financial support of N100,000 each to the freed inmates.”

He advised the beneficiaries to remain law-abiding and make good use of the funds to establish sustainable means of livelihood.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the state government for the intervention.

One of them, Chuks Solomon from Ebonyi State, said the financial assistance would provide many of the former inmates with the opportunity to start businesses and rebuild their lives.

Another beneficiary, Abubakar Umar, described the support as a source of renewed hope, saying it would help them begin afresh after their release.

The initiative is part of the Kaduna State Government’s broader criminal justice reform agenda, which seeks to decongest custodial centres, promote restorative justice and facilitate the successful reintegration of ex-offenders into society.