A butcher in Adamawa State, Umaru Usman of Shelleng Local Government Area, who was jailed for 17 years over a N150,000 debt, has regained his freedom. Usman had been sentenced by the Shelleng Area Court for criminal breach of trust and cheating and was serving the term at the Numan Correctional Centre before a special review committee intervened. His release followed the visit of the Adamawa State Jail Delivery Committee, led by the state Chief Judge, Justice Hapsat Abdulrahman, which is currently touring correctional facilities to decongest overcrowded centres and reassess questionable convictions. After reviewing his case, the committee ordered his immediate release but directed him to repay the outstanding N150,000 owed to his creditor. Appearing before the committee, Umaru Usman explained that he obtained rams for his meat business on credit, promising the owner that he would pay after selling them. He said he paid part of the money but was unable to complete the payment, leaving a balance of N150,000, which led to his arrest and sentencing. Usman, who had already spent time in custody before the review, expressed relief at his release as the committee continued its assessment of inmates held on similar grounds.
0 Comments