JusticeServed as the Lagos State High Court orders the release of Sewedo Folorunsho, who spent eight years in Kirikiri Prison without trial, declaring his detention unlawful and unconstitutional.
JusticeServed in Lagos as the State High Court sitting in Ikeja ordered the immediate release of Mr. Sewedo Folorunsho, who had been awaiting trial for alleged murder in Kirikiri Prison for eight years without prosecution.
In a judgment delivered on October 22, 2025, but obtained by Vanguard yesterday, Justice Adenike Shonubi ruled that the prolonged detention was unlawful and violated the applicant’s fundamental rights to personal liberty, dignity, and fair hearing as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
Court Declares Detention Unlawful
Justice Shonubi described the detention as a gross violation of constitutional rights, emphasizing that no citizen should be held indefinitely without trial.
The court consequently ordered Sewedo’s unconditional release from custody and awarded ₦500,000 in damages against the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.
Background of the Case
Court documents revealed that Sewedo Folorunsho was arrested by the Police in 2012 over an alleged murder and detained in a Police cell before being arraigned in 2017 before the Ebute Metta Magistrate Court on a holding charge.
However, no formal information was ever filed before the Lagos High Court to commence his trial, resulting in his continued detention at the Kirikiri Correctional Facility from 2017 until the judgment date.
Justice Shonubi held that the failure to file charges or commence trial within a reasonable time contravened constitutional provisions and amounted to an unlawful deprivation of liberty.
Counsel Commends the Court
Reacting to the judgment, Monday Ubani, SAN, counsel to the applicant, commended the court for upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of citizens against abuse of power.
Ubani, represented in court by Mr. Iwowo Anthony, adopted the written address of the application on behalf of his firm, urging the court to enforce the applicant’s rights after years of neglect.
Compliance and Next Steps
The court’s order has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service authorities for immediate compliance, paving the way for Sewedo’s release after eight years of unlawful detention.
Legal analysts have described the ruling as a landmark decision that underscores the judiciary’s role in safeguarding human rights and ensuring accountability within Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
