In Ebonyi State, 31 female inmates are currently facing murder charges at the Nigerian Correctional Service Custodial Centre in Abakaliki. The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ben Odo, revealed this during a visit to the custodial center. Meanwhile, a total of 41 male inmates who had the option of paying fines for their convictions were able to secure their release thanks to the payment made by Mrs. Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru.
Among those freed was a 16-year-old boy convicted of stealing a Bluetooth device. The Abakaliki Correctional Service Custodial Centre currently houses 1,265 inmates, with 31 of them being female. Odo emphasized that the 31 female inmates facing serious charges were not among those who were released and are still undergoing legal proceedings.
If convicted, these female inmates will be transferred to the Enugu Maximum Prison where death row inmates are held pending execution. One of the released male inmates, Nwafor Emmanuel, expressed gratitude for his release and shared his determination to stay away from criminal activities after witnessing several deaths in prison.
Mrs. Nwifuru encouraged the newly freed inmates to steer clear of crime and reiterated her commitment to advocating for the marginalized in society.