Worried by the growing number of inmates and overcrowded cells, the Ogun State House of Assembly has passed a resolution urging the State Chief Judge and the Ministry of Justice to review court cases across all categories in the state as part of efforts to decongest correctional centres and strengthen the justice system.
The resolution, sponsored by Minority Leader Hon. Lukman Adeleye, was adopted following a motion moved by Majority Leader Yusuf Sherif and seconded by Hon. Lawal Samsideen during a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide at the Assembly Complex in Abeokuta.
While opening debate on the motion, Adeleye revealed that statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics showed Ogun State as one of the most congested in terms of inmate population, topping the list of inmates on death row with 568, as confirmed by the Nigerian Correctional Service.
“These alarming figures may be due to a combination of factors, including financial pressure on the federal government, increasing crime rates, population growth, proximity to urban hubs, delays in judicial processes, and the lack of action on death warrants or clemency approvals,” he submitted.
Other lawmakers including Honourables Oluseun Adesanya, Babatunde Tella, Adebisi Oyedele and Damilola Soneye joined the call, urging the Ministry of Justice and the Chief Judge to explore alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, review bail conditions, and consider early release or parole for deserving inmates.
They appealed for urgent administrative action to identify cases that could be fast-tracked, while ensuring justice is served without unnecessary delays.
