The Republican Party presidential candidate in the 2007 elections, Chief Sunny Okongwu, yesterday in Kaduna called for the release of all inmates serving in Nigerian prisons.

He further advocated the relocation of Kaduna Convicts Prison to another part of the state.

Chief Okongwu, who is former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida's in-law, disclosed this while speaking to newsmen in his Ship-House, Kaduna. According to the Asaba chief, "If you want to make  Nigeria better, rebranding  should start from the prisons. We have passed through Sallah but there is nothing like forgiveness and nothing is moving. Are the leaders not religious to know that those who committed crimes are our brothers and sisters? I am calling on Yar'Adua, in conjunction with governors, to release all inmates in Nigerian prisons, starting with those on murder charges to the least. They should empty Kaduna prison immediately and I will know that this government is godly."

When asked the basis of his appeal, considering the fact that some inmates had pleaded guilty to offences, he said, “Anyone who comes out from the fire will not want to return to it. I don't want to hear that somebody is imprisoned. What for? If I were in government, you would not find that.

“You have no right to judge somebody and condemn him to death.

"Those who pleaded guilty and are serving jail terms have confessed. And God said if you confessed you are forgiven. Some of those who are standing trials are accused falsely.”