In a move to ease congestion in custodial centres across Lagos State, the Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Kazeem Alogba, on Tuesday ordered the release of 18 inmates and the deportation of two Chadian nationals.

The order was made during a special session at the Ogba Magistrates’ Court, held as part of the 2026 prison decongestion exercise.

The two foreign nationals, Musa Abubakar and Yusuf Aliu, were directed to be handed over to the Lagos State Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for immediate deportation to Chad, following a review of their cases.

Justice Alogba, while addressing the Chadians, said although they were eligible for release, the nature of their offences made deportation necessary.

“I want to release you, but you will be deported back to Chad. You are hereby released to the Controller of Immigration, Lagos State, for immediate deportation,” the Chief Judge ruled.

Earlier, Abubakar told the court he had been in custody since 2018 without trial. He admitted robbing his victim with a knife. Despite claiming he lived around Ago Palace Way in Lagos and could find his way home, the court rejected his plea and upheld the deportation order.

Aliu, on his part, admitted stealing from his victim but denied the use of a weapon.

Justice Alogba said the released inmates met the legal requirements for freedom after a careful review of their cases, urging them to embrace reform and reintegrate positively into society.

“This is a rare opportunity. You may not be this lucky if you return to crime,” he warned.

In total, four women and 14 men were freed during the exercise.

Earlier, the Lagos State Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Daramola George, disclosed that custodial centres in the state currently hold over 8,000 inmates, far exceeding their combined capacity of less than 4,000.