By Edith Nwapi

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA) on Monday facilitated the release of four Suleja Correctional Service inmates.

The release took place during a visit to the facility by NHRC and HBBA in commemoration of Nelson Mandela Day.

Speaking, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, explained that July 18 was the official Mandela Day.

“We took leave to celebrate it today because we wanted to celebrate it with the inmates at the Suleja Correctional Centre.

“We celebrate the Mandela Day every year to shine light on the legacy of a man who changed how prisoners should be treated.

“So that their dignity will be maintained, so that poverty will be eliminated.”

He said that prisoners are entitled to the right to food, health, freedom of expression and must be treated with dignity.

He added that there is still hope.

“Today we have also paid fines for those who were locked up because they couldn’t afford to pay,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Samuel Olukade, Chief Legal Officer of HBBA, expressed concern that there were few correctional centres in the country for female inmates.

He urged corrections officers to treat female inmates with special care.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four inmates released are Michael Udoh, Abdul Hassan, Mohammed Sani and Yunusa Yusuf.

The fine of N300,000 was paid for their offence.

They were also given transport fares to enable them get home. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza