The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in collaboration with Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA), has facilitated the release of four inmates from the Suleja Correctional Centre.
The release took place on Monday during a visit to the facility as part of activities marking Nelson Mandela Day.
Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, Executive Secretary of NHRC, noted that July 18 is recognized globally as Mandela Day, a time to promote justice, compassion, and service to humanity. He said the gesture reflects the commission’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of inmates.
” We took leave to celebrate it today because we wanted to celebrate it with the inmates at the Suleja Gorrectional Center.
“We celebrate the Mandela day every year to shine light on the legacy of a man who changed how prisoners should be treated,
” So that their dignity will be maintained, so that poverty will be eliminated,
He said that prisoners are entitled to a right to food, health, freedom of expression and must be treated with dignity.
He added there is still hope
” Today we have also paid fines for those who were locked up because they couldn’t afford to pay” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Samuel Olukade, chief legal officer of HBBA, expressed concern that there were few correctional centres in the country for female inmates.
He urged corrections officers to treat female inmates with special care.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four inmates released are Michael Udoh, Abdul Hassan, Mohammed Sani and Yunusa Yusuf.
The fine of N300, 000 was paid for their offence.
They were also given transport fares to enable them get home.
