Justice in Action: Ogun CJ Frees 287 Inmates in Bold Judicial Intervention Drive

The Ogun State Judiciary has granted amnesty to a total of 287 inmates across Correctional Centres in the State, marking a significant step in the drive to decongest prisons and strengthen access to justice.

The mass release formed part of activities marking the Judicial Intervention Week, a special exercise designed to review long-standing cases, address systemic delays and uphold the rights of persons in custody.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Judge of Ogun State, Hon. Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, said the exercise was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions and international human rights instruments.

She cited Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, which guarantee the right to personal liberty.

Justice Dipeolu noted that the justice system in recent years has been confronted with challenges such as overcrowded correctional facilities and delays in court proceedings caused by systemic and operational factors.

According to her, these challenges require urgent and innovative responses, including regular jail delivery exercises.

“In our continued efforts to decongest correctional Centres across the State, significant progress was recorded during the jail delivery exercise conducted between April 29 and 30, 2024,” she said.

She explained that visits to the Ilaro, Oba and Ibara Correctional Centres in November 2024 resulted in the release of 48 inmates after extensive scrutiny, while an additional 49 inmates were freed from various correctional facilities across the State.

The Chief Judge further disclosed that in May 2025, the Ogun State Judiciary released 100 inmates through another delivery exercise as part of its ongoing commitment to reducing congestion in correctional centres.

“More recently, as part of efforts to decongest the Sagamu Correctional Centre, a Judicial Intervention Week was conducted from November 24 to December 5, 2025.

During this period, eight designated magistrates sat over more than 200 criminal cases. At the conclusion of the exercise, 187 inmates were released from the Sagamu Correctional Centre,” she said.

Justice Dipeolu added that the exercise brought the total number of inmates released across Ogun State in 2025 to 287.

She urged the freed inmates to see their release as a fresh opportunity for reflection, personal growth and reintegration into society, stressing that their time in custody should serve as a motivation to rebuild their lives with renewed purpose.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Prison Decongestion, Hon. Justice Adesola Sobayo, described the intervention as unprecedented in scope and execution. She said the exercise recorded remarkable success, reducing the inmate population at the Sagamu Correctional Centre to 453.

Justice Sobayo revealed that the committee worked tirelessly over several weeks to ensure that a reasonable number of inmates were carefully assessed and recommended for possible release.

Earlier, the Controller General of Correctional Services, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche, represented by the Controller of Correctional Services, Oba Centre, Mr. Kamoru Adesina commended the Ogun State Judiciary for its humane approach, noting that the intervention ensured proper case review and respect for inmates’ fundamental human rights.