Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara, has ordered the release of six inmates from the old Ilorin custodial centre in a jail delivery exercise aimed at decongesting correctional facilities and expediting justice for individuals who no longer have legal grounds to remain in custody. The exercise, which took place on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, forms part of the judiciary's commitment to ensuring that justice is not delayed and that inmates whose continued detention lacks legal justification are promptly reintegrated into society.
Speaking during the jail delivery exercise, Justice Adebara explained that the initiative reflects the judiciary's determination to actively administer justice rather than allow cases to linger indefinitely in the system. He urged the beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity by embracing lawful means of livelihood and becoming responsible members of their respective communities. He further admonished them to shun criminal activities and contribute positively to society.
The Kwara State Controller of Corrections, Tolorunshagba Femi Emmanuel, commended the Chief Judge for his continuous support towards the decongestion of custodial centres across the state. He emphasised that the exercise reflects the strong synergy between the judiciary and the Nigerian Correctional Service in promoting speedy justice delivery. Emmanuel reaffirmed the command's commitment to maintaining safe, secure, and humane custodial facilities while advancing rehabilitation, reformation, and reintegration programmes for inmates.
The Officer-in-Charge of the custodial centre, Assistant Controller of Corrections Muyiwa Omole, also expressed profound appreciation to the Chief Judge and his entourage for the exercise, describing it as timely and impactful. He noted that the release of the inmates would significantly reduce congestion within the facility and further enhance effective inmate management. Omole assured the judiciary of the unwavering cooperation of the Nigerian Correctional Service in promoting the administration of criminal justice in Kwara State.
The Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, has consistently maintained that the Nigerian Correctional Service remains committed to its statutory mandate of safe custody, rehabilitation, reformation, and successful reintegration of inmates into society.
The jail delivery exercise comes amid a chronic crisis within the Nigerian Correctional Service, where facilities frequently operate at more than double their built capacity, primarily burdened by citizens languishing in prolonged pre-trial detention. Across Nigeria, recent data indicates that over 70 percent of the roughly 75,000 inmates held in federal facilities are awaiting trial, with bottlenecks driven by underfunded police investigation units, missing case files, and a severe shortage of state prosecutors. Targeted demographics for the review included the elderly, the terminally ill, and minor offenders, as jail delivery exercises are constitutionally protected emergency measures designed to clear judicial backlogs and prevent facility collapse.
For the six individuals who walked out of the Okekura facility on Tuesday, the judicial system finally functioned as intended.
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