No fewer than 356 inmates regained their freedom through jail delivery exercises conducted across the state between 2024 and December 2025.
The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Modupe Dipeolu, stated this on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the latest Jail Delivery Exercise held at the Ceremonial Court of the Judiciary Complex, Olipakala Village, along Kobape Road, Abeokuta.
Justice Dipeolu described the exercise as a constitutional duty rather than an act of discretion or benevolence.
She reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to protecting personal liberty and upholding constitutional safeguards.
“This Jail Delivery Exercise is one of the most critical judicial mechanisms for safeguarding the rule of law, protecting fundamental rights, and ensuring that justice is not undermined by delay, neglect, or procedural inertia,” the Chief Judge said.
She stressed that the justice system must not be reduced to an instrument of punishment alone, but should reflect fairness, equity, rehabilitation and respect for human dignity.
According to her, any justice system that disregards personal liberty ultimately erodes its own legitimacy.
Quoting renowned jurists, Justice Dipeolu warned against prolonged pre-trial detention, noting that indefinite incarceration without trial destroys public confidence in the justice system.
She cited Section 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to personal liberty, describing the provision as “mandatory and binding on all authorities.”
“The right to personal liberty occupies a central and inviolable position within our constitutional framework,” she said, adding that the guarantee is further reinforced by international instruments such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which has been domesticated in Nigeria.
The Chief Judge lamented persistent challenges of congestion and prolonged pre-trial detention in correctional centres, noting that such conditions offend the presumption of innocence and weaken confidence in the administration of justice.
“Our courts have consistently held that liberty is the rule, while detention is the exception,” she said, referencing recent Court of Appeal decisions which affirmed that detention beyond constitutionally permissible limits is unlawful.
Providing an update on ongoing decongestion efforts, Justice Dipeolu disclosed that continuous jail delivery exercises and intervention week sittings by magistrates had led to the release of 356 inmates across five correctional centres in Ogun State.
She added that on Monday, 29 inmates were released from the Oba and Ibara Correctional Service Centres.
She, however, lamented that the 356 is more than twice the capacity of Sagamu Correctional Centre, which stands at 150.
She stated, “Between 2024 and date, continuous Jail Delivery Exercises and Intervention Week sittings conducted by Magistrates have facilitated the release of 316 inmates across five correctional centres in Ogun State. On Monday, 15th December 2025, 29 inmates were released from the Oba and Ibara Correctional Service Centres. Today’s exercise builds upon these achievements
“Five inmates were released from Sagamu Custodial Service Centre, two inmates were released from Ijebu-Ode Custodial Service Centre, one from Ibara Custodial Service Centre, and three inmates were released from Ilaro Custodial Service Centre. The total number of inmates released today, December 17, 2025, is 11.
“Today’s exercise builds upon these achievements, as additional awaiting-trial inmates have been identified as deserving of release.”
She also revealed that an Intervention Week was ongoing in Ilaro, where eight designated magistrates are handling selected criminal cases to further decongest the Ilaro Correctional Centre.
“These figures represent more than mere statistics; they signify restored liberty, reunited families, and the reaffirmation of constitutional values,” the Chief Judge said.
Addressing inmates regaining their freedom, Justice Dipeolu reminded them that liberty comes with responsibility, urging them to live law-abiding and responsible lives.
She commended members of the Sub-Committee on Decongestion of Correctional Centres in Ogun State, including the judiciary, Ministry of Justice, Nigerian Correctional Service, Legal Aid Council, police and civil society organisations, for their dedication to strengthening justice delivery.
The Chief Judge, however, urged all stakeholders to remain steadfast in upholding the supremacy of the Constitution and the dignity of the human person.
“Justice must not only be done; it must be seen, felt, and trusted by the people it serves,” she said.
On Monday, Dipeolu called on the government to build additional correctional facilities as a lasting solution to the persistent overcrowding in prisons across the state.
She explained that while her office is mandated to carry out jail delivery exercises at least once every quarter to ease congestion, such interventions alone cannot provide a permanent solution without increased government investment in correctional infrastructure
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