The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, has ordered the deportation of two Chadian nationals following their release during the 2026 correctional facility decongestion exercise carried out by the Lagos State Judiciary.
The directive was issued on Tuesday at a special sitting held at the Ogba Magistrates’ Court, where the Chief Judge reviewed cases of inmates considered eligible for release from various custodial centres across the state.
The two foreign nationals, Musa Abubakar and Yusuf Aliu, were among 18 inmates granted freedom after the court found that they met the legal conditions for release.
The beneficiaries were drawn from the Borstal Home in Adigbe, the female custodial centre, as well as medium- and maximum-security correctional facilities in Lagos.
After approving their release, Justice Alogba ordered that 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.
Addressing the freed inmates, the Chief Judge urged them to see the exercise as an opportunity for personal reform, warning that a return to crime would attract stiffer consequences.
“This is a chance to change your ways. You may not be this fortunate if you appear before the court again,” he said.
Abubakar told the court that he had been in custody since 2018 without being arraigned, admitting that he robbed his victim with a knife. Although he claimed to live around Ago Palace Way in Lagos and said he could find his way home, the Chief Judge rejected the suggestion and insisted on his deportation.
“I am releasing you, but you will be deported to Chad,” Justice Alogba ruled, directing immigration authorities to take custody of him.
Aliu also admitted to stealing money from his victim but denied using a weapon during the act.
In total, 14 males and four females were released during the exercise.
One of the female beneficiaries, Nneka Ogumu, a caterer, admitted diverting N7 million paid to her for a catering contract, explaining that she hoped to invest it in a fast business that later failed. She pleaded for leniency, telling the court that she had changed.
Another woman, identified as Favour, who was charged with stealing N6 million, said she took N2 million to care for her sick mother. She expressed remorse and promised not to reoffend. Justice Alogba warned her to turn a new leaf.
Maria Okafor, who had been in custody since 2023 for stealing jewellery from her employer, was also released. Faith Monday, detained since 2023 for stealing, told the court she planned to return to her hometown in Ogoja, Cross River State, adding that the stolen item had already been recovered.
Other beneficiaries included Mamud Mohammed, 36, from Niger State, who had been in custody since 2016 for stealing, and Abiodun Adegboyega, who informed the court that he developed tuberculosis while in detention.
A 73-year-old man, Rabiu Mohammed, from Kaduna State, charged with defiling a seven-year-old boy, was also released after the court considered his age and circumstances.
However, several inmates were denied release after the Chief Judge reviewed their cases. Those refused included Michael Okoro, charged with armed robbery; John Anam, accused of defiling his neighbour’s five-year-old daughter; Adisa Musa, charged with defiling a six-year-old; Adepoju Olamide, 57, facing a pending rape charge involving a 13-year-old girl; Michael Samuel, accused of unlawful killing; Itoro Sunday, 50, charged with raping a five-year-old girl; and Adewale Durodola, charged with defilement.
Justice Alogba described offences involving young children as grave and said the court could not overlook such allegations.
The exercise forms part of the Lagos State Judiciary’s efforts to reduce congestion in custodial centres while ensuring that public safety and the rule of law are upheld.
Earlier, the Controller of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Lagos State Command, Mr Daramola George, disclosed that custodial centres in the state currently hold over 8,000 inmates despite having a combined capacity of fewer than 4,000.
Speaking at the session, George described the decongestion exercise as a critical step towards humane treatment and effective rehabilitation, commending the judiciary and the state government for balancing fairness, mercy, and public safety.
