In a significant move to address overcrowding in correctional facilities, 67 inmates across three correctional centres in Ogun State have been granted freedom. The release forms part of the state’s quarterly jail delivery initiative aimed at decongesting prisons and improving inmate welfare.
The State Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, announced the pardon during visits to the facilities in Oba, Abeokuta, and Sagamu. She urged the released inmates to make the most of their second chance by staying away from crime and instead becoming productive members of society.
Justice Dipeolu expressed concern over the appalling conditions in the centres, revealing that some facilities built to accommodate 150 inmates now house over 500. She described the overcrowding as a critical issue that demands urgent attention.
Of the 67 inmates released, 35 were from the Sagamu Correctional Centre. Notably, 12 of them were granted freedom on medical grounds, while several others had been awaiting trial for over a decade.
The Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Ogun State, Mr. Abioye Adesina, commended the Chief Judge for her compassion and dedication to justice reform. He also called on the state government to provide additional support, particularly in the form of tools and equipment, to enhance the efficiency and functionality of the correctional system.
This initiative highlights the growing need for systemic reform in Nigeria’s correctional institutions and reflects the state’s commitment to a more humane and functional justice system.
