In a significant move to address severe overcrowding, the Lagos State Government has carried out a major decongestion exercise at its correctional facilities. The exercise resulted in the release of sixteen inmates and the deportation of two foreign nationals from Chad.
Strict Adherence to Law, Not Sentiment
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Honourable Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, personally oversaw the exercise conducted yesterday. He firmly stated that the initiative is strictly guided by statutory provisions and is not influenced by personal discretion or public sentiment.
Justice Alogba described the event as epoch-making, noting that a similar review was last undertaken approximately two years ago. He addressed public criticism regarding the frequency of such exercises, explaining that the process is not initiated at the whim of the Chief Judge. Instead, it is triggered only when a reasonable number of inmates meet the legal criteria for release, following a meticulous review of records by a committee led by Hon. Justice Dada.
"Our answer in Lagos State is that we do not do things on sentiments. We do things strictly in accordance with the law. Otherwise, the exercise will become useless and anybody can challenge it," the Chief Judge emphasised.
Who Qualified for Release?
Justice Alogba outlined the specific categories of inmates considered eligible for the decongestion initiative. The primary beneficiaries included:
- Individuals convicted of misdemeanours or minor felonies who have nearly completed their sentences and have records of good behaviour, as verified by the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
- Detainees who have spent such extended periods in custody that, even if convicted, they would have already served their potential sentences or be close to completion.
The Chief Judge stressed that all decisions were based on verifiable records, with no room for arbitrary "Father Christmas" gestures. He cited a previous instance where a woman charged with murder, who had spent 13 years in custody, was not released because her case was still pending in court.
Addressing a Critical Overcrowding Crisis
The Controller of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Lagos State Command, Mr. Daramola George, provided stark context for the exercise. He revealed that facilities in the state, built to hold fewer than 4,000 inmates, are currently housing over 8,000 individuals.
"I can attest to the immense challenges we face in maintaining safe, secure, and rehabilitative environments," George said. He described the overcrowding as a persistent problem that jeopardises the safety of both staff and inmates and undermines effective rehabilitation programmes.
He commended the Lagos State Government and the judiciary for their collaborative commitment to justice, compassion, and humane treatment through this careful case review.
Endorsement from Justice Network
The Convener of the Criminal Justice Network of Nigeria, Nathaniel Ngwu, praised Chief Judge Alogba for acting within the powers conferred by law. He confirmed that the exercise was conducted in full compliance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and the Lagos State equivalent.
Ngwu explained that inmates with pending court cases or unclear records were not released. However, those who had spent several years in custody without being arraigned, and whose case files were untraceable, benefited from the exercise.
He issued a strong advisory to officials responsible for preparing cases for review to be more diligent to avoid wasting judicial time. Furthermore, he urged beneficiaries not to return to crime and to see their release as a fresh start for dignified reintegration into society.
Ngwu also expressed hope for more reviews before year-end, stating, "We will not tolerate a situation where a suspect... is left in prison simply because the government or relevant agency failed to diligently prosecute the case."
