Gombe Governor assures prison inmates of justice

Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, has assured the Gombe prison inmates of speedy dispensation of justice.

Dankwambo gave this assurance while addressing the inmates, as part of the activities to mark the 20th anniversary of the state creation in Gombe on Monday.

“I sincerely sympathise with you in this kind of situation and we will do everything possible to ensure speedy dispensation of justice to each and every one of you.

“I have seen all the facilities that are available in the prison, when one is in prison, it does not mean that one has been condemned.

“Prisoners should be treated like human beings, as inmates, you have a lot of rights, so as a government, we will do everything to support you in the prison”.

Dankwambo said that he would construct solar powered borehole in the prison to address the problem of water supply, as part of his contributions to alleviate their problems.

He called on them to understand that their imprisonment was to reform them to be good citizens, even as he advised them to turn over a new leaf.

Also, Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu, the Controller of Prison in the state, lauded the State Government for its support for the prison by providing operational vehicles and reducing inmate congestion among others.

He implored the governor to provide free medical treatment for the inmates at government hospitals and allow them to benefit from the state youth empowerment programme.

Similarly, Alhaji Mohammed Abba, the Deputy Controller of Gombe Prison, decried the high number of inmates in the prison, noting that the prison capacity was 379, as against the present number of 1,076.

According to him, those awaiting trial in the prison include, 113 suspects for armed robbery, 119 for culpable homicide, 44 for rape and 306 other offenders.

He said that 15 people had been sentenced to death by hanging while 416 others had been convicted.