Ebonyi first lady frees 25 inmates, pays fines, restores hope

Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, Wife of the Governor of Ebonyi State, on Monday, secured the freedom of 25 inmates at the Nigeria Custodial Centre, Abakaliki, as part of her 2025 Yuletide prison outreach.

The inmates regained their freedom after Governor Nwifuru’s wife paid their fines through her humanitarian arm, the BERWO Foundation, in collaboration with the Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice.

Angela Chika Igwugwu, Controller of Custodial Centre, in the State, described the visit as a rare show of compassion and motherly love, praising Nwifuru for sustaining the outreach as an annual tradition that restores hope and reduces crime.

Ben Odoh, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the State, described Nwifuru as a beacon of hope for the less-privileged, noting that many inmates remain in custody solely due to their inability to pay fines. He disclosed that the Abakaliki Custodial Centre, built for 387 inmates, currently houses over 1,000.

Nwifuru said the outreach reflects her belief that no life is beyond redemption, stressing that justice must be balanced with compassion. She emphasised that true correction goes beyond release to empowerment and reintegration.

She urged the freed inmates to embrace responsible living and called on families and communities to accept and support them, noting that restoration is only possible when society chooses compassion over rejection.

The visit ended amid prayers, tears of joy and applause, as beneficiaries expressed gratitude for a second chance at life.

Ogodo Ifeanyi a Catholic clergy, in his homily, urged the inmates not to go on revenge go they reunite with their loved ones. He further urged them  to avoid any act that would bring them back to the Custodial Centre.

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