In a bold move aimed at tackling the persistent issue of congestion in Correctional Centers, the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Odusola, has ordered the unconditional release of 12 inmates awaiting trial at the Medium Custodial Centre in Owo.
The release, carried out during the second phase of his routine judicial visit, highlights growing concerns over prolonged detentions without trial in Nigeria’s correctional facilities.
Justice Odusola, who had earlier granted pardons to five inmates at the Olokuta Medium Correctional Center, expressed deep worry over the poor conditions of both the inmates and the facilities.
He emphasized that many of the detainees had been kept for years without trial due to failures in prosecution or lack of legal representation.
“The need to decongest our prisons made it imperative to release some inmates who have spent years behind bars without any form of trial,” the Chief Judge declared.
He described his visit as part of the judiciary’s human rights mandate, aimed at addressing delayed justice and checking prosecutorial negligence.
Some of the freed individuals, he noted, were released on compassionate grounds, while others had suffered unjust detentions due to lack of diligence from either the courts or the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Among those granted freedom were Sola Oladimeji (54), held for over three years on an armed robbery charge; John Seyi (20), who had been behind bars for more than three years over cultism allegations; and Abiodun Adebanji (26), charged with attempted rape.
Others released include Abdulmumuni Mohammed (34) and Jamiu Yusuf (39), both accused of attempted kidnapping. They were freed due to lack of diligent prosecution.
Also released on compassionate grounds were Isaac Joseph (23), Ismalia Bashiru (21), Ayobami Babalola (22), Saheed Billiaminu (18), Abiodun Edward, and Sodiq [Surname not provided].
Justice Odusola called on the Federal Government to intervene urgently in the state of correctional centres across the country, warning that the system was approaching collapse under the weight of neglect and overcrowding.
Responding, the State Comptroller of Corrections, Mr. Jude Agboje, commended the Chief Judge and his team for their intervention, describing it as a lifeline to the prison system and a beacon of hope for inmates awaiting justice.
