According to a report from a prominent news agency, over 1,450 inmates across Nigeria’s custodial facilities were granted amnesty between January and September 2024 as part of ongoing efforts to reduce prison overcrowding.
This initiative follows a larger campaign that commenced in November 2023, when the Federal Government facilitated the release of 4,068 inmates, primarily those incarcerated for inability to pay fines. The effort was bolstered by N585 million raised through Corporate Social Responsibility contributions from various corporate entities.
During the first nine months of 2024, several state governors and Chief Judges played significant roles in facilitating inmate releases. Notably, governors from Benue, Nasarawa, Gombe, and Taraba states collectively freed 96 inmates on New Year’s Day.
On March 19, the Headford Foundation, a non-governmental organization, assisted in the release of 628 wrongfully detained inmates from correctional facilities in Lagos, Ekiti, Delta, Ogun, and Rivers states.
Additional releases took place, including 38 inmates who were pardoned by the Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Iyabo Yerima, on March 20.
On March 22, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed facilitated the release of 96 inmates, while Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, freed 24 inmates from the Port Harcourt Maximum Custodial Centre during the same month.
On April 9, Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda secured the release of 222 inmates by paying their fines.
Ogun State’s Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, granted clemency to 49 inmates on April 29 and 30.
The pardons extended into May, with Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang releasing 13 inmates on May 29. This was followed by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who pardoned 41 inmates, and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, who granted clemency to 110 inmates.
The most recent round of releases took place on September 12, when the Adamawa State Chief Judge, Justice Hasfat Abdulrahaman, discharged 156 inmates during a two-day visit to three correctional facilities in Yola, the state capital.
In light of these developments, the Nigerian Correctional Service has expressed concerns regarding the stigma experienced by ex-offenders.
