A group, Brothers Across Nigeria has facilitated the release of three prisoners from Umuahia Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abia State.
The inmates Uchenna Ebulu ‘M’ 21yrs and Chisom Uzor ‘M’ 28yrs
The release of these inmates who were arraigned before a Magistrate courts in Bende and Umuahia of stealing different items comes after weeks of unrelenting efforts.
State Chairman of the association, Chief Bar. Kelechi Eze, who disclosed this on Friday during release of the prisoners, said that the gesture was part of the association’s legacy project.
He explained that the gesture to release the inmates is out of love and compassion of the group for the less-privileged, especially those who were in prison for bailable offences.
Eze said: “The motivation behind this humanitarian service to prisoners is to render assistance to those who may have been wrongly imprisoned on the allegation of stealing or who doesn’t have anyone that can stand for them in the court”.
Bar. Kelechi disclosed that not all the inmates are guilty and that was the reason for establishing this BAN for the welfare and reintegration of inmates into society.
“I was at the Umuahia High court yesterday waiting for my case to be called up but moved by the case before the judge. A young man was beaten up by some vigilante personnel and also brought him to court because they feel he doesn’t have anybody that can come for him. Though the young man hasn’t already pleaded not guilty of the allegations against him and not having anyone standing for him. I told the judge that I will stand for the suspect.
“At the end of the day our group was able to secure his release and he was granted bail.
“So this is what Brothers Across Nigeria do for the less privileged in society.
Since the inception of our organisation, we have carried out various medical and humanitarian outreaches and sponsored the release of inmates with minor crime charges in major correctional facilities across Nigeria.
“Our vision is to see a society where crime is less attractive (dignity of ex-convict restored) and ex-convicts becomes part of sustainable solutions to peace and security, and a mission to rehabilitate, empower and reintegrate ex-convicts into the society: through a wide range of advocacy, representation, trainings, and support programmes”.
Speaking with THE WHISTLER, one of the release inmates, Uchenna Ebulu, who commended the group for the kind gesture, said, “Is only God that can help and bless them. They came to my life at the point of need and God will come to their life at the point of their need. May God continue blessing them. I don’t know them but God knows them.
He also identified the loss of his parents at an early age and youthful exuberance as some of the factors contributing to crimes.
acknowledging the crime he says, ” Though i actually stole the item from our wealthy king but i have learnt my lessons. I did it out of frustration to assist in my parents burial then.
“These teams of lawyers are God sent, I never hired them. They just saw me in court and discovered that I don’t have anybody standing for me. They took it upon themselves to secure my release.
“Am really very very grateful to them. Crime is never the best.
He advised other Nigerian youths to distance themselves from acts capable of implicating them.
Brothers Across Nigeria is a charitable/nonprofit organisation that seeks to advance some public benefits such as education, poverty alleviation, scientific research, environment, diversity, religion, health and of course Human Rights Activism.
Rights Group Facilitates Release Of Three Inmates from Afara Prison is first published on The Whistler Newspaper