Senators’ wives pardons female inmates during visit to Suleja Prisons

Wife of the President of the Senate, Dr. Mrs. Toyin Saraki has advocated for continuous rehabilitation of prison inmates.

This is also as she urged the Senate to, as a matter of urgency, pass the Prisons Reform Bill 2016 into law.

Speaking at the Suleja Medium Prisons in Niger State on Tuesday, Mrs. Saraki said only when the Prisons facilities were in right shape and the welfare of the workers taken into considerations that the officers would put in their best.

The wife of the Senate President, who led other Senators’ wives to Suleja, under the aegis of Senators Wives’ Forum, also said the rehabilitation of inmates would make them relevant to themselves and the society.

Mrs. Saraki urged Nigerians to avoid stigmatising the prisoners when they were eventually released, even as she admonished the inmates to get a change of life at their return.

While welcoming the Senators wives to Suleja, the Comptroller of Prisons in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command, Daniel Odharo disclosed that modern facilities were lacking in Suleja Prisons, which he described as an ancient Guard Yard used by the Native Authority.

He, therefore, called on the government to help upgrade the facilities. He said new land has been acquired for construction of a bigger prison yard.

On her part, the Special Assistant to the Senate President on Gender Matters, Fatima Kakuri, assured the Officers and inmates that the Senate would expedite actions in passing the Prisons Reform Bill, adding that the Bill had already scaled through second reading.

The Senators wives who were passionately touched by the situation of some the female inmates, also offered cash to those with option of fines. 

Miss Ozioma Okezie, 22, who hails from Abia State got all her fines paid immediately in cash, with the caution to have a change of life after freedom.

Highlights of the visit was a tour of the facilities and distribution of essential items to the inmates.

One of the pardoned inmates Mrs. Onyekachi Okafor who spoke to Daily Post said she was taken to prison 8 months ago for beating her own child, while she was also nursing a baby of 1 month.

Another female inmate, Elizabeth Ogar who was accused of stealing N200, 000 from her master’s shop, 9 months ago and was sentenced with 3 weeks old baby, also appreciated the Senators’ wives for coming to her aide.