Over 114 inmates in correctional centres in Edo State have regained their freedom following plans to decongest the facilities.
The inmates from Oko Correctional Centre and Benin Correctional Centre were released on amnesty between April and June 2022.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Edo State Chairman, Subcommittee on Decongestion of Correctional Centres, Justice Efe Ikpomwonba, said the move was done in a bid to decongest the prison.
According to her, “On April 22, the Oko correctional facility had a total of 55 inmates with bailable offences and that at the end of April 2022, 21 of them were released.
“Also in May 22, the facility had 64 inmates with bailable offences and at the end of May 2022, 28 inmates were released while in June 2022, the facility had a number of 91 inmates with bailable offences, 15 of them were released in June.”
“In April, the Benin facility had 66 inmates with bailable offences and 25 of them were released. In May, the facility had 82 inmates with bailable offences and 20 of them were released.
“Also in June, the facility had 100 inmates with bailable offences and as of June 17, five of them were released,” she added.
She said 64 of the inmates were released from the Oko Correctional Centre while 50 others were released from the Benin Correctional Centre.
