28,000 Inmates Freed After Payment of Fines, Says Nigerian Correctional Service

The Nigerian Correctional Service says 28,149 inmates were freed nationwide in 2024 after the payment of fines and compensations.

Deputy Controller-General Ibrahim Idris told a public hearing in Abuja that such charitable interventions ease prison congestion and support rehabilitation efforts. He urged donors to follow official procedures, citing cases where freed inmates also received repatriation money.

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Assistant Controller-General Cyrus Lekatile noted custodial centres cannot hold inmates without valid remand documents. He said pending amendments to the NCoS Act would create a federally funded Victim Compensation Trust Fund, ensuring victims are paid even when offenders cannot, while inmates contribute through assigned duties.