The Federal Government has disclosed plans to release 4, 068 inmates nationwide as part of measures to decongest the nation’s correctional centres.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, OLUBUNMI TUNJI-OJO said that the programme is targeted at indigent inmates who cannot afford to pay their fines.

He said the Federal Government has raised 585 million naira to be used for the payment of fines to secure the release of 4, 068 inmates across the federation.

According to the minister, the money was raised by corporate bodies and philanthropists for this purpose.

The minister added that the initiative was targeted at inmates who are non-violent offenders with fines and compensation that do not exceed 1 million naira.

He emphasised that the government’s commitment to transform custodial and non-custodial facilities was initiated to align with international human rights standards and effective correctional practices.

TUNJI-OJO said the Ministry of Interior would further collaborate with the Ministry of Justice to tackle the swelling number of awaiting trial inmates in various detention facilities in the country.