The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, has disclosed that a total of 356 awaiting-trial inmates were released across the state between 2024 and 2025 as part of sustained efforts to decongest correctional facilities and uphold fundamental human rights.
Justice Dipeolu made this known on Wednesday during a Jail Delivery Exercise held at the ceremonial court of the Judiciary Complex in Kobape, Abeokuta. She explained that the beneficiaries were drawn from the five correctional facilities operating in the state.
According to her, the releases were carried out through several jail delivery and decongestion exercises over the period. In April 2024, visits to the Ilaro, Oba and Ibara correctional centres led to the release of 48 inmates, while an additional 49 inmates were freed in November 2024. In May 2025, 100 inmates regained their freedom, followed by the release of 187 inmates during a decongestion exercise at the Sagamu Correctional Centre between late November and early December 2025.
Justice Dipeolu further stated that as part of the latest exercise, 29 inmates were released on Monday from the Oba and Ibara custodial centres, while 11 others were freed on Wednesday from facilities in Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Ilaro and Ibara.
She described jail delivery as a critical judicial mechanism for protecting the rule of law and preventing prolonged and unjustified detention, noting that congestion in correctional facilities undermines the presumption of innocence and public confidence in the justice system.
The Chief Judge stressed that the exercise was a constitutional responsibility rather than an act of benevolence, aimed at reviewing cases, eliminating unlawful detention and ensuring that correctional centres do not become holding places for forgotten citizens.
She advised the freed inmates to take advantage of their freedom to rebuild their lives with renewed purpose and commitment to lawful conduct. Justice Dipeolu also commended members of the sub-committee on decongestion of correctional centres, including representatives of the judiciary, Ministry of Justice, Nigerian Correctional Service, Legal Aid Council, police and civil society organisations, for their dedication.
She urged all stakeholders to remain committed to upholding the supremacy of the constitution, personal liberty and human dignity, emphasising that justice must be seen, felt and trusted by the people it serves.
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