Ogun Chief Judge raises concern as touts use counterfeit documents to secure bail for defendants.

 

The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Mosunmola Dipeolu, has expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of touts and fraudsters posing as bondsmen, submitting counterfeit documents to stand sureties for defendants in the state. This deceptive practice has led to a perversion of justice, with many defendants exploiting fake bonds to escape arrest and evade trial.

In response to this challenge, Chief Judge Dipeolu implemented a bondsman scheme in 2021 to combat the manipulation of the justice system. The scheme has proven effective in expediting legal proceedings and alleviating overcrowding in custodial centers. Since its inception, approximately 2800 individuals facing trial have regained their freedom through the scheme.

Chief Judge Dipeolu highlighted the success of the jail delivery exercise, noting that over 500 inmates have been released under her administration. During the Bondsmen Stakeholders Forum in Kobape, Abeokuta, she emphasized the importance of prison decongestion as a key initiative for accessing justice. However, the informal and corrupt nature of obtaining bail bonds posed a significant obstacle, leading defendants to resort to fraudulent means facilitated by touts and impostors presenting counterfeit documents in court.