Judge Mosunmola Dipeolu, the chief judge of Ogun State, has pardoned 46 more prisoners at the Oba and Ibara Correctional Centers in the state capital of Abeokuta.
According to the Chief Judge, the action was taken to relieve overcrowding in the state’s prison system and provide hope to inmates.
Judge Dipeolu provided a breakdown of the exercise’s beneficiaries in a statement that was made available to the media on Tuesday. “31 inmates were released from the Oba Correctional Centre and 15 from Ibara Correctional Centre bringing the total number of inmates granted amnesty to 46,” the statement said.
Remember that on Monday, the Chief Judge pardoned the three Ilaro Correctional Center detainees, Joseph Apan, Nureni Oladosu, and Babatunde Fagbayi.
Concerning the overcrowding and appalling circumstances at Oba Correctional Centre, the Chief Judge said, “We cannot ignore the plight of those awaiting trial, many of whom have been incarcerated for years without conviction.”
“We must constantly emphasise the need for swift justice and rehabilitation, rather than mere punishment, to address the root causes of congestion of our Correctional Centres.”
The Chief Judge at Ibara Correctional Centre urged the facility’s management to take further action to solve the persistent problems while applauding them for their efforts in keeping a somewhat improved atmosphere.
A group of State High Court judges, the director of public prosecution management, and a few other officials, such as the state controller and assistant controller of the correctional centers, accompanied Justice Dipeolu on the visit.