Ogun State Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, has called for direct government intervention to expand custodial facilities across the state, declaring that judicial exercises alone are insufficient to tackle chronic prison congestion.
The Chief Judge made the appeal on Tuesday while addressing journalists after a quarterly jail delivery exercise at the Oba and Abeokuta Custodial Centres. She revealed that the initiative was prompted by a “save our soul” message from the state’s Correctional Service Controller highlighting severe overcrowding.
Justice Dipeolu stated that a dedicated intervention last week saw eight magistrates sit in Sagamu for seven days, leading to the release of 187 inmates. A similar process is currently underway at the Ilaro centre.
“Jail delivery exercises alone are insufficient to decongest the custodial centres,” she stated. “There is a need for the government to take concrete steps to address the issue, including building more facilities.”
She linked the pressure on the justice system to rising crime rates, noting that judges are “overwhelmed with cases,” which exacerbates the backlog of inmates awaiting trial.
Corroborating the Chief Judge’s concerns, the Controller of Corrections for Ogun State Command, Abioye Kamoru, described the intervention week as a “great relief.” He said the releases would “reduce tension and create a better environment for reformation and rehabilitation” within the centres.
During Tuesday’s exercise, a total of 29 inmates were discharged from the Oba and Ìbarà correctional centres.
The Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Decongestion, Justice Arinola Shobayo, commended Justice Dipeolu’s commitment and urged the freed individuals to be law-abiding and successfully reintegrate into society.
