The Lagos State House of Assembly held a public hearing on Friday to discuss the Lagos State Correctional Service Bill 2025, which aims to transform the justice system from a punitive approach to one centred on reform, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
It also aims to domesticate correctional centres, as it was delisted from the exclusive list in 2023 by the Federal Government.
Speaker of the House, Dr. Mudashiru Obasa, represented by Ajani Owolabi, said that the bill seeks to establish a legal framework for both custodial and non-custodial measures. He noted that justice should not be limited to punishment but should also focus on restoring individuals and preparing them for successful reintegration into society.
Obasa, who sponsored the bill, described it as a bold step toward replacing the outdated prison model with a modern correctional system anchored on human dignity and social reintegration.
Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions, and LASIEC, Oladipo Ajomale, in his welcome remarks, highlighted the severe overcrowding in Nigeria’s correctional facilities, largely driven by the high number of pre-trial detainees. He emphasised the importance of humane treatment of inmates and effective rehabilitation programs.
Ajomale also appealed to the federal government to invest in more correctional facilities, pointing out the challenges of reintegrating ex-inmates into society. “Reintegration remains a major global challenge. Society must understand that those who have served their time and undergone rehabilitation deserve acceptance and a second chance,” he said.
Presenting an overview of the bill, the House Majority Leader, Hon. Noheem Adams, noted that the draft legislation comprises 60 sections. It provides for medical care, family and legal visitations, structured release procedures, and thorough documentation to facilitate a smooth transition process.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), commended the initiative, describing the bill as timely and visionary. He recommended renaming the bill to reflect the distinction between inmates in custody and those under correction, and called for clearer definitions of custodial, non-custodial, and correctional services. Stakeholders were later allowed to contribute to the bill.
Executive Director of the Inmates Educational Foundation, Mr. Alabidun Mahfuz, advocated for stronger partnerships with civil society groups, the inclusion of youth on the correctional board, and the prioritisation of educational programmes to support reintegration.
A human rights lawyer, Yusuf Temilola, emphasised the importance of defining board quorum, proper regulation of oversight bodies, and implementing evaluation frameworks for post-release reintegration.
Also speaking, Mr Mufutau Alade called for collaboration with religious organisations actively involved in the moral reformation of inmates, as well as reforms to speed up judicial processes.
In her contribution, Mrs Osunsanmi Bolanle Olufunke, Deputy Chief Registrar of the Ikeja High Court, highlighted that many inmates are youths with families living outside Lagos. She suggested establishing liaison offices for post-release support and integrating virtual hearing capabilities into the bill to reduce detention delays.
Also commenting, Mr Rotimi Oladepo, representing the Nigerian Correctional Service, welcomed the state’s efforts to establish its own correctional centres and emphasised the need to distinguish custodial from non-custodial operations.
CSP Charles Akinrosoye of the Lagos Police Command suggested the inclusion of transitional programmes and infrastructure guidelines for future facilities.
Joke Aladesanmi, from the Centre for Legal Support and Inmates Rehabilitation, drew attention to the absence of actual rehabilitation services in many facilities. She urged lawmakers to address mental health, educational services, and the link between rehabilitation and sentencing.
The hearing concluded with consensus among stakeholders on the urgent need to shift from a punitive to a reformative justice system. They agreed that for justice to be truly meaningful, it must empower individuals to rebuild their lives and make a positive contribution to society.
Source: Guardian.ng
