As part of efforts to decongest the Correctional Centres, the Ogun State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu has granted freedom to a total of fifty-one awaiting trial inmates from the five Correctional Centres in the State between January and April this year.

Hon. Justice Dipeolu ordered the release of the inmates during her first and second quarter of the jail delivery exercise for 2022 held at the Judiciary Complex, Kobape in Abeokuta.

In January, six of the inmates were freed from Ibara, four at Oba, two at Ijebu-Ode, One at Sagamu, three at Ayetoro and four at Ilaro Correctional Centres.

Another eight of the inmates were released from each of Ilaro and Oba Correctional Centres, six at Ibara and Ijebu-Ode and three at Sagamu Correctional Centres respectively in the second quarter jail delivery exercise held in April.

Speaking during the second quarter jail delivery exercise, the Chief Judge revealed that the freed inmates were recommended by the Sub-Committee on decongestion of Correctional Centres for various reason.

Some of the inmates who regained their freedom, according to his Lordship were released for one of the following reasons: those who have spent more than seven years in the Correctional Centres without the appearance of their witnesses before the Court, case files not found and health challenges, among others.

During the exercise, the Chief Judge disclosed that henceforth, details of inmates released during jail delivery exercise will be recorded alongside their pictures for future references.

Admonishing the released inmates, Hon. Justice Dipeolu urged them to be law abiding citizens as there might not be such opportunities for them if found guilty of earlier or another offence(s).

In the same vein, the Ogun State Comptroller of Correctional Centres, Mr Alimi Abdul-Rasheed who appreciated the State Chief Judge for her passionate gesture at ensuring that inmates are being released often, pointed out that the exercise has been of benefit to the Correctional Centres in the State.

Alimi stated that the jail delivery exercise has helped the Correctional Centres in managing the inmates, to reduce the tension within the Centres across the State and enhanced reformation among the inmates.

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Friends of Joseph Foundation represented by the Head of the Advocacy Unit, Mr Taiwo Olukayode, appreciated the Hon. Chief Judge of the State for being gracious enough to recognise the foundation’s contributions and recommendation to serve as a member of the sub-committee set up specially by the Ogun State Judiciary to look into Jail delivery exercise in the State. He therefore gave an assurance that the freed inmates will be duly rehabilitated.