Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has freed 222 inmates detained in correctional facilities across the state who could not pay the fines imposed on them by courts ahead of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations,
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Fadila Muhammad Dikko, made this known in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Aishetu Ndayako, on Tuesday.
She said the decision was taken due to the recommendations to the state government to intervene in paying the outstanding fines for the selected inmates.
The inmates were said to have been detained due to their inability to pay fines imposed by courts for minor commercial and non-capital offenses.
The statement pointed out that the beneficiaries were carefully selected after a thorough verification process.
“The Governor’s benevolent act is expected to significantly reduce congestion in these facilities and enable the freed inmates to partake in the joyous occasion of Sallah with their loved ones,” Fadila said.
