The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, has disclosed that more than 8,000 defendants have been granted bail and released under the Ogun Bondsmen Scheme since its establishment five years ago.
Justice Dipeolu made this known on Friday while declaring open the second edition of the Bondsmen Stakeholders’ Forum held at the Ceremonial Court, Judiciary Complex, Kobape Road, Abeokuta.
According to her, the scheme has been instrumental in reducing congestion in correctional facilities across the state and in sanitising a bail system previously riddled with corruption and inefficiency.
“When we last met, we celebrated the release of 2,800 defendants between January 2021 and October 2023. Today, I am delighted to report that between October 2023 and July 2025, this figure has grown exponentially. Thanks to the diligent work of our licensed bondsmen, Chrysalis Bail and Bond Limited and Egba Kelisco Bail and Bond Limited, we have now facilitated the release of over 8,000 defendants awaiting trial,” the Chief Judge said.
She stressed that the achievement reflects her administration’s seven-point agenda and announced the licensing of a new company, Praise and Moremi Bail and Bonds Limited, bringing the total number of licensed bondsmen in the state to three.
While commending the progress, Justice Dipeolu acknowledged challenges such as instances of defendants absconding after being granted bail. She noted that this led to the introduction of the 2025 Bondsmen Regulations, aimed at strengthening and standardising the scheme.
Highlighting the judiciary’s vision for digital transformation, the Chief Judge explained that a centralised digital platform is being developed to integrate bail applications, surety verification, bondsmen engagement, and court notifications. A database capturing details of all defendants released through bondsmen was launched in January 2025 as the first step towards digitising the entire process.
Speaking at the forum, the Chairman of the Ogun State Bondsmen Licensing Board, Justice Olugboyega Ogunfowora, reported that out of 243 cases of defendants who absconded, 212 had been swiftly rearrested. He added that the scheme has eliminated the menace of fake sureties and touts while also creating employment, with the two existing companies collectively employing more than 80 staff.
In his remarks, the State Bond Administrator, Mr. Olakulehin Oke, highlighted key innovations under the 2025 Bondsmen Regulations, including the upward review of financial thresholds for licence categories: Category A raised from ₦10 million to ₦20 million and above, Category B from ₦5 million to ₦15 million, and Category C from ₦5 million to ₦10 million.
He warned that bondsmen with three absconding clients within six months risk licence revocation, while others who violate the regulations could face up to a four-year suspension.
Justice Dipeolu further revealed that, in addition to the bondsmen scheme, the judiciary has secured the release of 149 inmates this year through its jail delivery exercise.
Prison congestion remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria, but initiatives like the bondsmen scheme continue to play a critical role in upholding the rights of defendants and promoting efficiency in the administration of justice.
