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NOLLYWOOD star actress, Miss Taiwo Hassanat Akinwande, popularly known as Wunmi, was yesterday released from the Female Prisons, Kirikiri town, Lagos,  after paying the N1million fine in lieu of  three  years prison terms Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Lagos, imposed on  her for attempting to export 92 wraps of cocaine (condom size) to London.

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The popular Yoruba actress who breathed the air of freedom at about 3.30 pm yesterday after fulfilling all Court and Prisons processes, was said to have actually paid the N1million fine late last week, but had to remain the  prisons till yesterday to fulfil all requirements.

Vanguard gathered that the star actress burst into tears as soon as she stepped out of the prisons, but some of her  family and colleagues who came to take her home, comforted, embraced and hugged her before leading her  into a waiting ash colour  Isuzu Tropper Jeep with registration number JS230 AAA.

Investigations by Vanguard revealed that the process of her eventual release actually began at about 1.30 pm yesterday  when some of her colleagues came to the Prison with a release warrant to effect her release, but they were refused by Prisons officials who insisted that they had to confirm the authenticity of the release warrant.

The star actress family and friends were said to have gone back to the court which then sent an official of the court to the Female  Prisons to confirm the release warrant and assist in her release.  

According to Vanguard findings, the whole process of  her release after the arrival of court official took place between 2.30 and 3.30 pm before she was left off the hook.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Lagos State Command of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), Mr. Mr. Ope Fatinikun in a telephone chat confirmed to Vanguard the release of Miss Akinwande

According to him, “she has just been released after we had verified the authenticity of the release warrant brought by her people. So, she is no longer in our custody.”

Earlier last week, a story of her release was in the media but, this was later discovered by Vanguard to be untrue.

It could be recalled that Miss Akinwande was convicted by Justice Mohammed on January 25, 2007.

She had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges on her first arraignment. But on January 16, she changed her plea to guilty when she was brought to court in continuation of her trial.