Kano State Grand Khadi, Tijjani Yusuf Yakasai has recently set free, about than 59 inmates with minor offences and delayed trial in order to decongest the Nigerian Correctional Service to curtail the spread of the raging Covid-19 pandemic. The inmates including a female were freed from the Kurmawa and Goron Dutse Custodial Centers in the state. The Grand Khadi ordered the release of the inmates through a committee he set up under the Chairmanship of Upper Sharia Court Judge, Kofar Kudu, Alkali Ibrahim Sarki Yola. Yola who presided over the sitting at the Dogon Dutse facility said the act was to secure the release of inmates with delayed trial and minor cases saying:
“We were ordered by the Grand Khadi to create time to visit the facilities from time to time to decongest the facility. That we should look out for those with minor offences and delayed trial, grant bail to those who deserve to be granted bail and also set free those who deserve to be set free.
“And based on this, we have today freed 32 inmates including a female. “On Wednesday, we visited Kurmawa centre where we freed 27 inmates.
“The Grand Khadi’s action was based on his leadership style and to follow suit and footstep of President Muhammadu Buhari who recently pardoned some inmates.
“Be that as it may, while we set the inmates free, we have also charged them not to return to the previous lifestyle. We warned that we will not take it lightly with anyone of them who is brought back for any offence,”
Earlier, the Public Relations Officer, DSC Musbau Lawal expressed gratitude with the gesture aimed at decongesting the facilities, saying it is a positive step in the right direction especially with the pandemic at hamd.
