Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has promised to pardon a resident of the state, Segun Olowookere, who was sentenced to death by hanging for allegedly stealing a fowl and eggs in 2010.
Adeleke made this known in a statement on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
This was after Segun’s parents, in an interview with popular Nigerian actress, Biola Adebayo, said the operatives of the Osun State Command arrested their son for an offence he did not commit.
Segun’s mother, Folashade Olowookere, disclosed that her son, who was 17 at the time of his arrest, has now spent over 14 years in prison since he was sentenced to death by the court.
The victim’s father, Olanrewaju Olowookere, also revealed that a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) asked him to pay N30,000 for his son’s release.
He added that he was able to raise N20,000 at the time.
Olanrewaju said: “We are here to beg Nigerians to help us. In 2010, I was at the shop where I was renting out cassettes, and at about 11 a.m., some police officers came around.
“We later found out some students from Segun’s school were in their vehicle and they said they were arrested because of the theft of a fowl and eggs.
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“Truth be told, Segun does not eat chicken. Because I trained broilers. He refused to run away, telling us that he didn’t know anything about the theft of the chicken.
“They came back at about 9 p.m. in the night and he was eventually arrested. It was when I visited the station that I knew who owned the chicken and eggs. He was just like a brother to me.
“I was told by the DPO in charge to bring N30,000 so my son could be released but after running around, all I could raise was N20,000 which he refused to collect.”
However, Adeleke, while reacting to the incident on Wednesday, directed the Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to commence an investigation into the matter and initiate processes to pardon the victim.
The governor stated: “I have received the report of a case of a young man reportedly sentenced to death by hanging in Osun State for stealing a fowl.
“Consequently, I have directed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Osun State to commence full investigation into the matter and initiate processes to grant prerogative of mercy to the young man.
“Osun is a land of justice and equity and must ensure fairness and protection of the sanctity of lives. I assure members of the public that this matter is receiving my direct attention with every sense of urgency also attached to our response to the matter.”
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