From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
As part of its activities to mark the 2014 Press Week, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Kaduna Council has secured the release of 10 inmates of Kaduna Central Prison and Kujama Prison by paying the fines option levied on them by Courts.
Among the inmates is a 65yrs old Francis Adebisi who was sentenced to eight months imprisonment for cheating or an option of N10,000 and N24,000 as compensation.
Speaking during the release of the prisoners, the Chairman of NUJ Kaduna State Council, Comrade Yusuf Idris said it is the tradition of the Council in line with the celebration of its Press Week to always secure the release of prisoners who are either minor or aged but with offenses that are bailable and their release will not be a threat to the society.
Comrade said the exercise was made possible with the assistance of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
“It is in our tradition to always secure the release of prisoners and this year, NOUN under the able leadership of Prof. Vincent Tenebe agreed to pay the fines for the inmates, while the Council go about to perfect the release. Every financial commitments was settled by NOUN,” he said
In his own response, the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Vincent Tenebe said the occasion is very special to its institution because NOUN is the only University set up by the Federal Government to take education beyond borders and also to the door steps of all Nigerians and into the Prisons and that is why we have study centres all over the country for special formations like the military and Para-military and we have study centers even for the inmates.
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