Inmate released in error could now be abroad

"A man jailed over the abduction of his five-year-old son may have left the UK in the three days it took prison staff to notify police he had been mistakenly released from custody, the High Court has been told. Ifedayo Adeyeye was released from HMP Pentonville in Islington, north London, on 21 April, having been jailed for contempt of court over the abduction of Laurys N'Djosse Adeyeye. Prison staff allowed the 58-year-old's release despite him being ordered to serve a 12-month sentence the day before, and being due to be extradited to France upon its completion."

"Mr Justice Hayden said at a hearing on Monday that, following his release, Adeyeye "strolled about" the London area and "had a very nice dinner" and "quite a lot of drink" at a local pub, before transferring thousands of pounds to others from a bank account. It is believed Adeyeye may have travelled to Spain the following day, all before prison staff contacted the Metropolitan Police on the afternoon of 24 April. Mr Justice Hayden said: "The public is entitled to expect far better than this.""

"The police said they were using the "powers at [their] disposal" to track him down and re-arrest him. The news of Adeyeye's release comes after a former asylum seeker who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl was mistakenly freed from HMP Chelmsford in October. Data published by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) last month showed that 179 inmates were wrongly released between April 2025 and March 2026. The MoJ said it was working with police to recapture Adeyeye, and was investing up to 82m to drive down accidental releases."

Ifedayo Adeyeye was released from HMP Pentonville on 21 April despite being ordered to serve a 12-month sentence for contempt of court over the abduction of his five-year-old son. Prison staff failed to notify police until 24 April, during which time he allegedly moved around London, had a meal and drinks, and transferred thousands of pounds from a bank account. It is believed he may have traveled to Spain the next day. He was due to be extradited to France after completing his sentence. The High Court heard that the public should expect better, and the case follows another wrongful release in October. Ministry of Justice data reported 179 wrongful releases between April 2025 and March 2026, with investment planned to reduce accidental releases.

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