Ebonyi first lady facilitates release of 53 inmates

Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, wife of the governor of Ebonyi, has accelerated the release of 53 inmates from Abakaliki correction service.

The intervention came after her visit to the facility in October, where she discovered that some inmates were convicted with option of fine, but could not meet bail conditions.

Speaking on Wednesday, Nwifuru said the freed inmates would be included in her empowerment programmes to help them steer clear of all forms of crime.

NAN reports that the inclusion would be done through her project tagged: Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons Foundation (BERWO).

“I am delighted to be here to witness the act of God upon your lives and to felicitate with you in the spirit of Christmas,” Nwifuru said.

“Today’s event is in line with the peoples charter of needs and my modest project, BERWO which provides succour and assured hope.

“I intimated with my husband, the governor, over plights of people and out of magnanimity, the governor supported by undertaking to pay the court fines and the perfection of the conditions of the bail to secure their freedom.”

She appealed to the freed persons to live in accordance with the laws of the land in order not to be a burden to the society.

Nwifuru encouraged good-spirited individuals to assist the freed persons in ways they can as they have learnt their lessons and are ready to turn a new leaf.

Bernard Odo, attorney-general and commissioner for justice in the state, said that the facility would love to see more decongestions.

Odo noted that the capacity of Abakaliki correctional center is 387 inmates but regrettably, the place was housing 1,466 inmates.

“The comptroller has written to me that there is no more chance to accommodate others and, on that note, his men would not accept other persons,” Odo said.

“In the cause of my assessment into one of the cells, I discovered that one cell contains 126 persons with one toilet.”

He praised the governor’s wife for the gesture and described freedom of liberty as the highest of the fundamental human rights.

The attorney-general encouraged the freed persons to use the opportunity fully by avoiding crime.

He frowned at the “dysfunctional” criminal justice system in the country and called for remedies.

Peter Nwofoke, one of the freed inmates, described his release as divine intervention and appreciated the governor’s wife for the assistance.