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The latest news now that highlights the complexities of Nigeria’s justice system, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has initiated a pardon for Segun Olowookere, who has spent over a decade on death row for the theft of poultry.
TJ News Nigeria reports that in 2010, at the age of 17, Olowookere and his accomplice, Morakinyo Sunday, were arrested for allegedly breaking into the homes of a police officer and another individual, armed with a wooden gun and a sword, and stealing fowl and eggs.
Their trial culminated in 2014 when Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State High Court sentenced both to death by hanging, a verdict that sparked widespread criticism for its perceived severity relative to the crime.
The case has drawn significant attention from human rights organizations and the public, who have long decried the harshness of the punishment. Olowookere’s parents have been particularly vocal, recently making emotional appeals for clemency, asserting their son’s wrongful conviction and alleging police misconduct during the investigation.
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Responding to these appeals, Governor Adeleke has directed the state’s Attorney General to commence the process of granting a prerogative of mercy to Olowookere.
In his statement, the governor emphasized the state’s commitment to justice and equity, stating, “Osun is a land of justice and equity. We must ensure fairness and protection of the sanctity of lives.
This intervention has elicited mixed reactions. While many commend the governor’s decision as a step towards rectifying an apparent miscarriage of justice, others, including former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Osun State, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, have criticized the move. Dr. Basiru contends that the legal process was duly followed, with the accused receiving a fair trial and conviction, and that the governor’s intervention undermines the judiciary’s authority.
The fate of Morakinyo Sunday, who was sentenced alongside Olowookere, remains uncertain, as official statements have not addressed his situation.
This case underscores the ongoing debate over Nigeria’s use of capital punishment, particularly in instances involving non-violent crimes. Although the country has not conducted any executions since 2012, over 3,400 individuals remain on death row, prompting calls for comprehensive judicial reforms to address issues of proportionality and fairness in sentencing.
As the legal processes for Olowookere’s pardon proceed, the case continues to serve as a focal point for discussions on the need for a more equitable justice system in Nigeria, balancing the enforcement of law and order with compassion and human rights considerations.
Video Source: YouTube.
