Nigerian sentenced to loss of life in Osun State pledged pardon

A Nigerian who spent 10 years on loss of life row for stealing chickens and eggs has been promised a pardon by the governor of the southwestern state of Osun.

Segun Olowookere was 17 years outdated in 2010 when he was arrested along with his confederate Morakinyo Sunday.

They allegedly attacked the house of a police officer and one other individual with an outdated picket rifle and a sword, however solely escaped with the poultry.

In 2014, Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State Excessive Courtroom sentenced the 2 males to loss of life by hanging after discovering them responsible of breaking into the policeman’s home and stealing his belongings .

There was an outcry throughout Nigeria on the time, with many believing the sentence was too harsh.

The duo had been later transferred to the infamous Kirikiri most safety jail in Lagos State, the place they’re on loss of life row.

In a press release on Tuesday, Governor Ademola Adeleke ordered that Olowookere be pardoned as you will need to shield the sanctity of life.

“I’ve requested the Justice Commissioner to provoke procedures to grant the prerogative of pardon to the younger man.

“Osun is a land of justice and fairness. We should guarantee fairness and safety of the sanctity of lives,” the governor mentioned on X.

The destiny of Morakinyo Sunday, who was convicted alongside Olowookere, is unclear as his identify was not talked about within the assertion.

For years, Olowookere’s dad and mom, human rights teams and different Nigerians have fought for his launch.

His dad and mom had been not too long ago on a podcast the place they had been crying and begging for his or her solely little one to be pardoned.

He’s anticipated to be launched in early 2025.

Nigeria has not carried out any executions since 2012, however there are at present greater than 3,400 folks on loss of life row.