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State Governments Can Offset, Waive Minor Fines Owed By Inmates – Aregbesola

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The Federal Government has revealed that state governors can offset or grant waivers to inmates with fines less than N1 million.

This is according to the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, during the commissioning of a 20-bed space medical facility at Port Harcourt maximum security custodial centre.

Aregbesola said while the Federal Government is finding long time solutions to the challenge of prison decongestion, the State Government can in the meantime provide basic supports, like offsetting the meager fines and debts, building court houses at the correctional services premises or try the defendants virtually from the Correctional Centres for speedy determination of cases.

He held that some of the inmates are held behind bars for minor offences that can be easily waved by the states.

The Minister further stated that he recently asked the comptroller of Correctional centres to compile the list of inmates whose reason for incarceration is a fine or a debt not more than one million naira that are meant to be paid to the state governments.

According to him, about 5,000 inmates where shortlisted under this category and most of them have stayed long enough in the care of the Federal Government to consume foods worth more than they are supposed to pay as fines and debt to the states.

According to him, in Rivers State, there are about 22 of such inmates and the 22 of them are collectively owing a little above 3million naira, an amount he thinks the State Government can offset or wave for the inmates to be freed.

The minister noted that apart from reducing the financial burden on the Federal Government, such decisions by the state will also help in decongesting the correctional centres.

He said for instance, the Maximum facility in Port Harcourt was built 1,800 inmates, but as of May 12, 2023 the centre was holding 3,100 inmates.

While emphasizing that the situation in Port Harcourt is a reflection of the cases in most of the facilities across the country, the minister said Additionally, the Federal Government is building 6 mega facilities with at least 3,000 capacity in the six geopolitical zones to further decongest the existing facilities.

The one for the South-South is located in Bori in Khana Local Government Area of the Ogoni ethnic group in Rivers State.

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President Tinubu Cheers US, Nigerian troops elimination of ISIS top leaders, Lauds Trump (Video)

“I commend the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage, and I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation.

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President Bola Tinubu, strengthened by the US military Command vows more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation.

President Tinubu was reacting to Saturday’s overnight successful joint counterterrorism operation carried out by Nigerian and United States forces against an Islamic State hideout in the Lake Chad Basin which resulted in the elimination of a wanted Islamic State senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, alongside several of his lieutenants.

In a State House statement issued on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, the president’s aide, Tinubu said “Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces of the United States conducted a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State.

The president stated that early assessments confirmed that the strike targeted the terrorist leader’s compound in the Lake Chad Basin.

Tinubu however expressed appreciation to the United States for supporting Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts and advancing shared security objectives.

The president also thanked Donald Trump for what he described as leadership and unwavering support in the operation, saying, “I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort.”

He further commended military personnel from both countries for their professionalism and courage during the operation.

“I commend the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage, and I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation.

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Many Trapped in Abuja Collapsed Building , 3 Dead (Video)

Eyewitnesses said that about 70 workers were on site at the time of the incident at the building located around Gaduwa Estate in the Gudu area.

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Tragedy struck in the Durumi 3 area near Gudu Market, Abuja, after a three-storey building under construction collapsed on Saturday moring leaving at least three persons dead.

Eyewitnesses said that about 70 workers were on site at the time of the incident at the building located around Gaduwa Estate in the Gudu area.

Three bodies had been evacuated as of the time of filing this report, while rescue efforts were still ongoing to save other victims trapped beneath the rubble.

Officials and emergency responders were seen at the scene carrying out search-and-rescue operations as anxious residents gathered around the area.

The cause of the collapse is yet to be officially confirmed at the time of this report.

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President Tinubu returns to Lagos ahead of APC primaries tomorrow (Video)

Tinubu’s aircraft touched down at about 7:12 p.m. at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.

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• President Tinubu chats with African business leaders during the African CEO Forum in Nairobi, Kenya.

President Bola Tinubu on Friday arrived in Lagos after a three-nation visit to France, Kenya and Rwanda.

Tinubu’s aircraft touched down at about 7:12 p.m. at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.

A statement issued by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said that the president was received by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor, Femi Hamzat; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; and other government officials.

President Tinubu, while in France, met with global investors, emphasising transparency and fiscal discipline and explaining the rationale for the swift implementation of the bold economic reforms his administration has instituted.

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