Ogun CJ Orders Release Of 67 Inmates To Ease Congestion

In a bold effort to curb the deepening crisis of congestion in Ogun State’s correctional facilities, the state judiciary has authorized the release of 67 inmates, breathing new life into the long-standing struggle for judicial reform and human rights protection.

The release operation, which took place across the Sagamu, Oba, and Ibara custodial centres, was executed under the directive of the Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, as part of a constitutionally mandated exercise to review cases and assess the conditions of awaiting trial inmates.

At the Oba Custodial Centre, where the symbolic release was conducted on Thursday, Justice Dipeolu shed light on the painstaking review process that led to the decision, highlighting that the majority of those released had languished behind bars for extended periods without meaningful judicial proceedings.

She revealed that several of the discharged inmates were also found to be in fragile health, necessitating compassionate intervention.

According to official figures, 35 inmates were discharged from Sagamu Correctional Centre, while Oba and Ibara centres saw 20 and 12 inmates freed, respectively.

Justice Dipeolu emphasized that the jail delivery initiative is more than an administrative formality—it represents a crucial lifeline for detainees whose constitutional right to a fair and timely trial has been undermined by systemic bottlenecks.

She further reassured that similar exercises will continue at intervals, stressing the need for a collective overhaul of criminal justice processes to prevent recurring congestion in the state’s correctional facilities.

Dipeolu urged the freed inmates to conduct themselves responsibly and avoid any actions that could lead to re-incarceration, warning that they might not be so fortunate again.

She stated, “The jail delivery exercise is part of the Chief Judge’s mandate to aid the decongestion of our custodial centres. Some of them were released on health grounds; others have spent years in custody, either because their cases have stalled or their case files can no longer be located.”

“Some have been here since 2017, 2019, or 2020, with no ongoing legal proceedings. There’s no reason to keep them confined and feeding off taxpayers’ money. Let them return to society and make something meaningful of their lives.”

“I have also advised them to become responsible citizens. We have their records. They must remain of good behaviour and avoid any actions that could bring them back here, as they may not be this lucky next time.”

The Controller of Corrections for Ogun State Command, Abioye Adesina, lauded the Chief Judge’s actions, describing them as a compassionate intervention that would ease the chronic congestion in the state’s correctional centres.

He highlighted that the exercise would bring much-needed relief to the overstretched facilities while giving the released inmates a chance to reintegrate into society.

Adesina further pointed out that during their incarceration, the inmates had undergone various vocational and skills training programmes. He encouraged them to put these skills to good use by contributing positively to the nation’s economy.

Africa Today News, New York