After spending 10 years on death row for stealing chickens, Segun Olowookere has been promised a pardon by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who emphasizes the importance of life safeguarding in society.
Nigerian Man Nears Pardon After Decade on Death Row for Poultry Theft
Nigerian Man Nears Pardon After Decade on Death Row for Poultry Theft
Segun Olowookere is set to receive a pardon as a plea for justice follows years of outrage over his sentence for stealing hens.
In a significant development in Nigeria, Segun Olowookere, a man who has spent a decade on death row for the theft of hens, is expected to receive a pardon from the governor of Osun State. Olowookere was only 17 when he was arrested in 2010, alongside his accomplice, Morakinyo Sunday, after they attempted to rob the home of a police officer, wielding an old wooden gun and a sword, albeit only managing to steal poultry.
In 2014, they were sentenced to death by hanging following a conviction for breaking and entering. This harsh sentence sparked widespread condemnation across Nigeria, with many arguing it was disproportionate to the crime. The duo was subsequently imprisoned at the infamous Kirikiri maximum security facility in Lagos, in the death row section.
On Tuesday, Governor Ademola Adeleke announced that Olowookere would be pardoned, underscoring the need to uphold the sanctity of life and promote justice. "I have directed the Commissioner for Justice to initiate processes to grant prerogative of mercy to the young man," stated Adeleke on social media platform X, further reinforcing his commitment to fairness and equity within the state.
As for Morakinyo Sunday, who received a similar sentence, his future remains uncertain, as he was not mentioned in the governor’s statement. For years, Olowookere's family, alongside human rights advocates, have campaigned for his release. His parents made a heartfelt plea on a podcast, urging the authorities to grant clemency for their only child. If all goes as planned, Olowookere could be released as early as 2025.
Though Nigeria has not executed anyone since 2012, the nation still holds over 3,400 inmates on death row, highlighting ongoing concerns about the death penalty's application for relatively minor crimes.
