Philanthropist frees 38 inmates in Taraba

A Philanthropist and a gubernatorial candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2015 general election in Taraba, Chief David Sabo Kente on Monday freed 38 inmates serving various jail terms in the state.

Speaking during a brief ceremony at Jalingo prisons, Kente said he settled the fines of 14 inmates in Wukari prisons and 24 in Jalingo prisons as part of activities marking his 51st birthday.

“I have taken it upon myself to be celebrating my birthday with the inmates, orphans and other less privileged persons in the society as a mark of honour to God who has lifted me up.

“My foundation, DSK Foundation will take over the rehabilitation of the 38 freed inmates to help them reintegrate well in the society.”

The philanthropist donated N500,000 to the prison’s authority to buy drugs for the treatment of the inmates and refurbishing of prisons’ vehicles conveying inmates to courts.

He also pledged that his foundation would station its mobile clinic van in Jalingo prison for three days to treat inmates with common illness like malaria, typhoid fever among others.

Kente assured the inmates that God was with them and they should not lose hope in God, saying Nelson Mandela, Olusegun Obasanjo and Gen. Buhari among others went to prisons but God brought them out and made them presidents at different times.

Responding, Deputy Comptroller of Prisons Ali James who stood in for the state comptroller, Peter Ezenwa thanked Kente for his gesture and called on well to do Tarabans to emulate the lifestyle of the philanthropist.

Some of the inmates who spoke thanked Kente for always supporting the inmates and the prisons, saying the borehole, light and other facilities they now enjoy were provided by Kente including the Hilux van conveying them to courts.

They appealed to him to set up a carpentry workshop and establish other skills acquisition Centres in the prisons to help them acquire skills while in prisons so as to come out as reformed citizens.