Ogun CJ Moves To Decongest Correctional Centres,Inaugurates Committee

Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu has inaugurated  a five-man Sub-Committee , in a move to decongest  various Correctional Service Centres across the State.

Justice Dipeolu while inaugurating the Committee at the conference hall of the Judiciary Complex in Abeokuta, listed  part of its duties to include, collation of relevant data on inmates, compilation of data on the offences for which the detainees are being held, ensure implementation and enforcement of laws that relate to trial or post convictions in terms of bail, probation and community services, among others.

The Chief Judge added that several efforts had been put in place to decongest the Correctional Centres in the past, submitting that “the issue becomes a virus that refused to vacate the criminal justice system”.

She recalled  that part of the moves to tackle congestion of the Centres when she became the Chief Judge of the State was the seven-point agenda which centred on the quick and effective dispensation of justice

According to her ,the congestion was hinged on several factors which include, the workload of High and Magistrate courts, dearth of manpower, the inability of the Correctional Service Centres to constantly convey inmates to various courts alongside several other inundating factors.

The Chief Judge added that recently, the challenges had been resolved through the creation of new High and Magistrate courts at different judicial divisions and magisterial districts, the appointment of new judges and magistrates, creation of specialised courts such as the Small Claims Court, among others were created to handle all custody matters, in order to tackle logistic issues in the Centres.

Justice Dipeolu pointed out that the advent of the Administration of Criminal Justice and Other Related Matters Law (ACJL), 2017 had also played a significant role in a bid to decongest the correctional facilities across the State. She added that jail delivery exercises had also been held quarterly in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, urging the Committee members to work assiduously, so as to achieve the laid down objectives.

Speaking on behalf of other members, the Chairman of the Committee, Justice Catherine Ogunsanya said the assignment was an opportunity to serve the State, promising to deliver accordingly.

Others members include the Secretary, Mr. Tosin Okikiolu, Miss Oluwatoyin Sonoiki, CSP. Charles Akinrosoye and DCC. James Ogunmoyede.