The Minority Leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Lukman Adeleye, has said his decision to sponsor a resolution calling for prison decongestion was borne out of deep concern for the rising population of inmates in correctional centres across the state and the dire implications on the justice system.
The resolution, which was passed during plenary at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Tuesday, called on the State Chief Judge and the Ministry of Justice to conduct a comprehensive review of ongoing and prolonged cases across all categories of courts in the state.
Speaking during the debate on the motion, Hon. Adeleye cited data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicating that Ogun State is among the most congested in terms of inmate population.
He further revealed that the state tops the list of inmates on death row nationwide, with a staggering 568 prisoners, a figure also confirmed by the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) spokesperson.
“This alarming figure may be due to a combination of factors including the financial burden on the federal government, Ogun’s industrial growth and population, crime rates and the slow judicial and administrative processes, particularly delays in signing death warrants or granting clemency,” Adeleye stated.
The motion was moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Yusuf Sherif and seconded by Hon. Lawal Samsideen.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, presided over the plenary session.
Several lawmakers, including Hon. Oluseun Adesanya, Hon. Babatunde Tella, Hon. Adebisi Oyedele and Hon. Damilola Soneye, threw their weight behind the resolution. They urged the judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to fast-track bail applications, promote the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) where applicable, and consider clemency or parole for inmates who have served substantial portions of their sentences.
The lawmakers emphasised the need to streamline the judicial process to ensure timely dispensation of justice and reduce prolonged incarceration that clogs the correctional facilities.
With this resolution, the House aims to bring relief to overburdened correctional centers and give hope to inmates awaiting trial or clemency, aligning with broader reforms of the criminal justice system in Ogun State.
