COVID-19: Kebbi releases 111 prisoners

The Kebbi state government has released 111 prisoners in the correctional service centres in the state.

The state government said the move is in line with the federal government’s decision to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The federal government had announced that it would release 2,600 inmates in various prisons to curb the spread of the disease.

In a statement on Wednesday, Yahaya Sarki, special adviser on media to Atiku Bagudu, governor of the state, said the state government paid fines to ensure the release of some of the inmates.

He said Ramatu Adamu-Gulma, the state commissioner for justice, disclosed that the prisoners were selected from Argungu and Birnin Kebbi new and old correctional service centres.

Sarki said the state government gave each of the prisoners N10,000 as transport fare to their various destinations.

He said similar exercises would be conducted at other correctional service centers in Yauri, Zuru, Jega and Bagudo local government areas of the state.

“Kebbi State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hajiya Ramatu Adamu-Gulma, revealed that over 111 inmates were released during the exercise as performed by the Chief Justice of the state, Justice Sulaiman Muhammad-Ambursa at Argungu and Birnin Kebbi new and old Correctional Service Centres,” the statement read.

“The state government has paid fines of the inmates in addition to giving them N10,000 each to cater for transportation back to their respective destinations.

“According to Justice Muhammad-Ambursa, some of the inmates who regained their freedom fell under Presidential Pardon while the remaining ones were either discharged fully or were released on administrative bail.”

Similarly, David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, had granted freedom to 33 prisoners serving various jail terms in the state.