The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, has ordered the release of eighteen inmates and the deportation of two Chadian nationals during the 2026 prison decongestion exercise in the state.
Justice Alogba gave the order at the Ogba Magistrates’ Court after approving the release of eligible inmates from various correctional facilities under a special session organised by the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The Chief Judge specifically directed that two inmates, identified as Abubakar and Aliu, be handed over to the Lagos State Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service for immediate deportation to Chad, citing the nature of their offences.
Beneficiaries of the exercise were drawn from the Borstal Home, Adigbe; the female correctional centre; as well as medium and maximum security custodial centres across Lagos State, having met the requirements for release.
While addressing the freed inmates, Justice Alogba urged them to take advantage of the opportunity to reform and reintegrate responsibly into society.
Earlier, the Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos Command, Mr Daramola George, disclosed that custodial centres in the state currently house over 8,000 inmates, despite having a combined capacity of fewer than 4,000 inmates.
Written by Iyeh Enema