NIGERIA (Kaduna)-A total of 58 inmates awaiting trial at the Kaduna Central Prisons was released yesterday through the intervention of the State Government.

While disclosing this, the Acting Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Justice, Gamellion Kore, he said the measure became necessary as a way of de-congest prisons in the state.

“The state government pardoned and freed a total of 58 inmates on awaiting trial between Monday, January 6 to Friday, 10. This exercise is to de-congest prisons in Kaduna State.

“We are planning to release a total of 800 inmates based on minor offences as they constitute the large chunk of those in prisons. Those standing trial for capital offences would be considered later.

“As at today, the total number of inmates in Kaduna prison is 721. Out of this, 706 are males while 15 are females. Also, out of the figure, 437 of the inmates are awaiting trial while 282 are serving various prison terms after their conviction,” he said.