Following the establishment and adoption of the Ogun State Bondsmen Licencing Scheme, over 10,000 defendants awaiting trial have been freed in the last five years.
Recall that the scheme established in 2020, was aimed at breaking the cycle of congestion in correctional facilities and to cleanse the bail system of corruption and inefficiency that had long plagued it.
In October 2023, the Ogun Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, announced that the scheme had enabled freedom of over 2,800 defendants who were on bail between January 2021 and October 2023.
Justice Dipeolu, speaking on Friday at the 2nd Bondsmen Stakeholders Forum held at the Judiciary Complex, Abeokuta, revealed that no fewer than 8,000 defendants awaiting trial have been freed from October, 2023 and July 2025.
DAILY POST reports that figure indicates an increase of at least 186% over the 2023 statistics.
Justice Dipeolu explained that the freed defendants are individuals whose rights to liberty and presumption of innocence were upheld.
She said, “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.
“Through 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. This is not merely a statistic; it represents over 8,000 individuals whose rights to liberty and presumption of innocence have been preserved, and a significant alleviation of the immense pressure on our Correctional formations.
“This progress is a direct testament to the efficacy of this scheme and a key achievement of this administration’s seven-point agenda. This week, I approved the license of a new Bonds company – Praise & Moremi Bail and Bonds Limited. This brings the number of Licensed Bondsmen in Ogun State to three. I have no doubt that this new entrant will further deepen the progresses made by the system.”
Admitting that the scheme has been faced with several challenges over the time, the Chief Judge, stated that they have also developed the 2025 Bondsmen Regulations and practice directions aimed at ensuring uniform ethical standards, transparency in operations, and robust risk-assessment practices to protect the integrity of courts and the scheme itself.
She urged all legal practitioners to have at least a copy in their chambers, arguing that the regulations are not meant to stifle their business, but to catalyse it, elevate their profession, granting it the legitimacy and public trust necessary for long-term growth.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman, Ogun State Judiciary Bondsmen Licensing Board, Justice Olugboyega Ogunfowora, noted that the statistics shared in 2023 were a promise and the data they have today is the fulfilment of that promise.
Justice Ogunfowora asserted that the scheme has continued to protect citizens from financial exploitation and they have overseen the full refund of deposits to all defendants within 24 hours of their case conclusion, building immense public trust.
He added that the bondsmen have continued to honour their obligations to the court, with total forfeitures now exceeding N2.8m, proving this is not a risk-free venture but a serious, accountable business.
Meanwhile, Olakulehin Oke, the Bonds Administration, explained that the newly developed 2025 Regulations introduces new defined terms like “Absconding Defendant,” “Board,” “Funds Expended,” “Licensed Bonds Company,” and “Defendant.”
He added that It also refines existing definitions thus creating a clearer, more precise legal language which will reduce ambiguity and potential loopholes.
