JAIL DELIVERY: OSUN CJ, ADEPELE OJO SECURES RELEASE OF 18 AWAITING TRIAL INMATES FROM CUSTODIAL CENTRES

CHIEF JUDGE OF OSUN STATE GRACIOUSLY SECURES RELEASE OF 18 AWAITING TRIAL INMATES FROM CUSTODIAL CENTRES

By ASC Joel Oludare Oyedokun

In a bid to decongest custodial centres under the Nigerian Correctional Service, Osun State Command, the Chief Judge of Osun State, Hon. Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, led a high-powered delegation to the Medium Security Custodial Centres in Ilesa and Ile-Ife on Tuesday, 24th June, 2025, and Wednesday, 25th June, 2025, respectively.

The delegation included esteemed members of the Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, Men of the bar, Prosecutors, Legal Aid Council, National Human Rights Commission, and other stakeholders.

During the visit, the Chief Judge exercised her powers under the Criminal Justice (Release from Custody) (Special Provision) Act, Cap 40, Laws of the Federation, 2010, to secure the release of 18 awaiting trial inmates from the two custodial facilities in the state.

Hon. Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo reviewed 66 awaiting trials cases in MSCC Ilesa and MSCC Ile-Ife respectively and attended to the inmates with deserving cases ranging from, two female minors of the same parent and a young nursing mother who were charged for conspiracy and stealing, other cases reviewed were: unlawful sexual intercourse, armed robbery, Arson, Murder among others. In MSCC  Ilesa seven (7) inmates were discharged and acquitted while seven (7) were released forthwith from custody. In summary fourteen (14) awaiting trial inmates were released in MSCC Ilesa while four (4) awaiting trial inmates were released in MSCC Ile-Ife for non-compliance to Administration of Criminal Justice Act/ Law and delayed in prosecution of their cases by the prosecuting counsels. 

She admonished the discharged inmates to be of good behavior and desist from committing crimes that could return them to custody. She further commended the Controller of Corrections, Nigerian Correctional Service, Osun State Command, Rotimi Oluwadele for his efforts and proactiveness in making the visit a reality. She thanked the entire staff of the Command for their dedication and commitment to achieving the mandate of the service which are: Reformation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of the offenders back into the society as well behaved and law abiding citizens and for improving upon how inmates were being brought to court now, particularly those standing trial for capital offences. The Chief Judge said the visit became imperative to give hope to well deserved inmates and ease the burden as well as to decongest the facilities in the state.

The Chief Judge thanked His Excellency,  the Governor of Osun State, Sen. Ademola Adeleke and members of his cabinet, the Hon. Speaker and all members, of the House of Assembly of the state who are collaborators with the judiciary in the administration of Justice. She further thanked the Honourable Attorney-General and Chief Law Officer of the state and all the important stake-holders for being part of the exercise.

Earlier in his welcome address, Controller of Corrections, Osun State Command, Olalekan Rotimi Oluwadele MNIM, fdc thanked the CJ for carrying out the jail delivery exercise despite her tight schedules. He further commended efforts of all the important stake-holders in the administration of Criminal Justice System in the State. He stressed that fifty three (53) inmates were also released in December, 2024 with the support of the state Governor and Ministry of Justice.

This jail delivery exercise is part of ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Correctional Service and important stake-holders in the Criminal Justice System, to ensure timely dispensation of Justice, alleviate overcrowding in correctional facilities, and provide inmates with a fair hearing.

This visit also demonstrates the judiciary's commitment to upholding human rights and promoting justice.

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