About 15 inmates of the Afokang Correctional Centre, Calabar are now free citizens, having enjoyed the benevolence of Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong who cleared the cobwebs of poverty that kept them in detention, with the payment of the fines they were not able to pay for years, after their conviction.
Ekpenyong, who was at the correctional centre in continuation of his prison outreach on Thursday, however lamented that poverty could keep Nigerians behind bars. But he was quick to advise the freed inmates to ensure they lived crime-free lives going forward.
The senator undertook the outreach in partnership with the Cross River State Law Students Association, University of Calabar, as part of his commitment to the better life of his constituents.
Last December, Ekpenyong had embarked on a similar visit, in what was termed a Christmas Day Outreach, where he, in the company of his wife, Nela, paid the fines of inmates to secure their freedom.
He had committed a total of ₦10 million in humanitarian support- over ₦5 million to offset fines for inmates, many of whom had remained incarcerated for years because they could not pay fines as low as ₦90,000.
He had also donated ₦3 million to enable inmates celebrate Christmas with dignity, while giving ₦2 million as support for the correctional centre’s staff, for the Christmas.
As he retuned there on Thursday to pay up the fines of more inmates to secure their freedom, Ekpenyong expressed deep concern over the injustice of prolonged incarceration arising from minor fines, lamenting that poverty could translate to a life sentence for his constituents.
He encouraged inmates facing more serious charges to maintain good behaviour, embrace rehabilitation, and use their time in the custody for personal reform, learning and preparation for reintegration into society.
