At least 20 inmates of the Benin, Oko and other prison facilities in Edo State were released on Tuesday by the authorities of the Nigerian Prisons Service.
Among the pardoned inmates was a nursing mother, Ngozi Owoh, who stated that she was arrested, charged to court and jailed after engaging in a fight in April this year.
The Controller of Prisons, Edo State, Mr. Amadin Osayande, who disclosed this to Southern City News in Benin, said the ex-convicts regained their freedom after the fines for their offences were paid by the wife of the Iyase of Benin, Mrs. Vero Igbe.
Osayande explained that the former inmates were serving different prison terms, with options of fines ranging from N20,000 to N100,000 before they were selected based on good conduct.
While commending Igbe for the gesture, which, he said, would help to decongest the prison, Osayande urged the beneficiaries to use their freedom and the vocational skills they acquired to make meaningful impact in the society.
Igbe, in her remarks, explained that she decided to assist the ex-convicts to pay their fines as a mark of charity to mark her birthday.
She also urged other well-meaning Nigerians to extend help to the needy as part of their contributions to the development of the society.
“When wealthy people celebrate their birthdays, they spend a lot of money. So, instead of celebrating like that, let them look for people to help,” Igbe said.
One of the freed inmates, Amos Omogiede, said he was convicted of manslaughter and jailed for four years.
Another beneficiary, Paul Iyobo, told Southern City News that he was sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of N80,000 fine for assaulting a policeman.
Iyobo expressed joy over his release and promised to use his freedom to show that he could be a good citizen of the country.
He added, “My freedom has given me the opportunity to see my family. I did not tell my wife and three children that I have been released because I want to surprise them.”
Among the pardoned inmates was a nursing mother, Ngozi Owoh, who stated that she was arrested, charged to court and jailed after engaging in a fight in April this year.
The Controller of Prisons, Edo State, Mr. Amadin Osayande, who disclosed this to Southern City News in Benin, said the ex-convicts regained their freedom after the fines for their offences were paid by the wife of the Iyase of Benin, Mrs. Vero Igbe.
Osayande explained that the former inmates were serving different prison terms, with options of fines ranging from N20,000 to N100,000 before they were selected based on good conduct.
While commending Igbe for the gesture, which, he said, would help to decongest the prison, Osayande urged the beneficiaries to use their freedom and the vocational skills they acquired to make meaningful impact in the society.
Igbe, in her remarks, explained that she decided to assist the ex-convicts to pay their fines as a mark of charity to mark her birthday.
She also urged other well-meaning Nigerians to extend help to the needy as part of their contributions to the development of the society.
“When wealthy people celebrate their birthdays, they spend a lot of money. So, instead of celebrating like that, let them look for people to help,” Igbe said.
One of the freed inmates, Amos Omogiede, said he was convicted of manslaughter and jailed for four years.
Another beneficiary, Paul Iyobo, told Southern City News that he was sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of N80,000 fine for assaulting a policeman.
Iyobo expressed joy over his release and promised to use his freedom to show that he could be a good citizen of the country.
He added, “My freedom has given me the opportunity to see my family. I did not tell my wife and three children that I have been released because I want to surprise them.”
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