2 weeks ago
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An appeal has gone to Nigerians not to engage in criminal activities that would land them in custodial centres.
The appeal was made at the Ilesa Custodial Centre in Osun State by the Chief Imam of the inmates (name withheld) on Tuesday during a visit by members of an Islamic organisation, the Daaru-r-Rahmat Society of Nigeria, as part of activities marking the 15th anniversary of the group.
The Chief Imam, who had already spent 13 years at the facility, said he was unaware of the grave consequences of his actions until he was caught after he robbed a hostel.
Describing prison as “a graveyard of the living,” he appealed to Nigerians to be content and patient.
“Help us tell people in Nigeria to live with contentment. Help us appeal to the government not to abandon us here. They should not think we are the worst human being on earth. Some of us came here to discover that we have done wrong and we have repented.
“I have been here since 2008. I have finished at Open University now. Some of us are here because we could not afford a lawyer. Some of us are here because they stole due to hunger. Some could not afford to pay an option of fine while others have spent almost 20 years because they could not raise N500,000 to pay the settlement.
“We came to prison because of a lack of contentment. My father warned me but I didn’t listen. I was the only person caught out of four of us that went to rob a hostel in Iree then. If we are lucky to leave this place, we will be of good conduct because we now realise that returning to crime after leaving prison is either you are killed or you return to jail.”
Addressing the inmates after making donations of food items and clothing, Ameer of Darmat, Imam Muali Olawale, who was accompanied on the visit by members of the group, urged them to renew their faith and hope, imploring them to learn at least a skill and keep hope alive.
The Imam further said, “Don’t see this place as the last place. It is not over for you. Use this place to learn how to be of good conduct after your freedom. It is in your destiny that you will be kept here for a while.
“Renew your hope and your faith. That is the campaign mantra of the present administration and Nigeria will be better for us all.
“Be steadfast and maintain your brotherhood. You will leave this place to become important after your freedom.”
