Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State on Tuesday, secured the released of additional 200 inmates, making it 2,517 in four years of his last tenure in office.
This is in compliance with the federal government prisons decongestion program, which is believed to hasten the process for quick dispensation of justice.
The governor during his Sallah visit to Goron-Dutse Prison Tuesday, said the released of the 200 inmates costs the sum of over eleven million five hundred thousand naira (over N11.5m) only.
He said “We release them judiciously based on some guidelines followed, and we are doing this to comply with directive given to governors to help in decongesting prisons across the nation.
Some of the criteria followed for the release, included according to the governor, “That some were fined by courts and could not pay, some because of ill-health, some because of old age, while some have life sentences hanging over their heads and they became too weak for life itself.
Ganduje advised those released to be of changed behavior and become productive to the society, adding that, “We want you to be good citizens for the socio-economic and political development of the state and the nation in general.”
Among the 200 that were released recently, 60 were from Kurmawa Central Prison, 33 from Wudil Prison and all the remaining 107 were from Prisons across the state.
The governor assured that in the next two months or thereabout during Eidul-Kabir Sallah celebration, he would secure for more release of other inmates.
Adding that, “I want you to be well behaved while staying here as inmates. Each and every one of you should strive to be of sound character. So that he or she could be among the free ones when next I am back.”
DCP Yahuza Aliyu, who spoke during the event commended governor Ganduje for his humanitarian gesture in the last four years of his administration.
Hoping that, “With today’s new set of release of inmates by His Excellency the Executive Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, we are optimistic that more and more inmates are on the edge of gaining freedom.”
Meanwhile governor Ganduje paid similar visit to Goron-Dutse Torrey Home, where the state government, through the Secretary to the State Government and the Permanent Secretary, Protocol, secured the release of 9 children, by paying fines hovering over their shoulders.
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