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BY ABU-SATAR HAMED
ILARO-YEWA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – The Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba (Dr.) Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, FNIVS, FNIM, RSV, D.Sc, D.Litt., FFPI, has called on the Federal Government to urgently improve welfare provisions for inmates in Nigeria’s correctional centers.
Oba Olugbenle emphasized that inmates are human beings who deserve dignity and care, as they remain integral members of society with families and loved ones.
The first-class monarch made these remarks on January 27, 2025, while receiving the Assistant Comptroller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Zone A, ACG O. Fatinikun, who oversees Lagos and Ogun States.
The delegation also included the Ogun State Comptroller of Correctional Service, CC Kamoru Abioye; the Officer-in-Charge of the Ilaro Custodial Centre, CSC Afolabi Julius; and other officers of the service.
Oba Olugbenle lamented the inadequate prioritization of correctional centers by the government, citing insufficient welfare provisions for inmates and severe congestion in many facilities.
He highlighted the dire situation at the Ilaro Correctional Center, which holds more than twice its intended capacity.
“This overcrowding has resulted in an overflow of the center’s septic tanks and soakaways, posing serious health hazards to neighboring residents, including the Private Palace and the Yewa Traditional Council Secretariat, despite additional sewage facilities being built for the center some years back,” he stated.
The monarch also raised concerns about the slow pace of the judicial process, calling on the legal system to expedite case reviews.
He pointed out that many inmates are unjustly incarcerated for minor offenses or crimes they did not commit, stressing the need for reforms to ensure timely and fair justice.
The visiting officers expressed their gratitude for His Majesty’s unwavering support for the Ilaro Custodial Centre.
They acknowledged the positive impact of Oba Olugbenle and the people of Ilaro-Yewa on the lives of inmates, officers, and the community at large.
They also pledged to work towards improving conditions in correctional facilities, inspired by the monarch’s commitment to humanity and justice.
The visit provided an opportunity to address critical issues affecting correctional facilities in Ilaro and across Nigeria.
It underscored the importance of collective action in ensuring humane conditions for inmates and meaningful reforms in the justice system.
