Olu Samuel, Lokoja

A non-governmental organization, Victory Idewele Foundation, has paid the sum of 10 million naira to enable 27 inmates with option of fine and compensations to regain their freedom in Kogi state.

Chief Judge of Kogi state, Justice Josiah Majebi made this known on Saturday during a three-day visit to the six correctional centres in the state.

“Asides the payment of fines and compensations made by the foundation, the NGO has also decided to train the freed inmates for three months in Abuja to enable them acquire skills and become self reliant in the society”. Justice Majebi said.

According to him,atKoton-Karfe Maximum Security Correctional Centre, two inmates, Mustapha Idris, who was fined N50,000, regained his freedom, while Kehinde Amaka, sentenced to one year imprisonment with a fine of N300,000, benefited from the gesture of the foundation but has to remain in custody until January 15, 2025, to complete his jail term.

Also, at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kabba, the Chief Judge released 20 inmates, while 5 inmates were released in Ankpa.

The Chief Judge, who stated that the essence of the visit was to ensure that no inmate is being detained unjustly, cautioned the magistrates against being used as agents of oppression.

He lamented the way and manner in which some prosecutors delay cases unnecessarily, causing awaiting trial inmates to stay long periods of time in custody.

Justice Majebi who was full of praises to the founder and chairman of the foundation, Mr Innocent Idelewe, for choosing Kogi state for the gesture said the support would go a long way to change the freed inmates positively.

“This visit is special and unique because, in the history of the state, this type of additional event during correctional centre visits has never happened before.

“Prior to our preparation for this visit, the chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Hon. Halidu Adejo, introduced Mr. Innocent Idewele to me, stating that he wanted to pay the fines and compensations of inmates so they could regain their freedom.

“I discussed with officers in charge of the correctional centres in Ankpa, Dekina, Idah, Koton-Karfe, Kabba, and Okene, and the inmates in the category amounted to ten million naira, which the foundation paid to the Kogi State government,” he said.

The Chief Judge commended the efforts of the chairman of Idah Local Government for the concern shown toward the custodial centre in the town and urged other local government chairmen to do the same in the interest of the state.

In his remarks, the founder of the foundation, Innocent Idewele, said the NGO is focused on changing human lives, especially those of the less privileged in society, noting that every need of the citizens should not be left for the government to tackle