Pardon Promised to Nigerian Man on Death Row for Hen Theft

Segun Olowookere, sentenced to death for stealing hens a decade ago, may soon see a pardon as movements for justice gain traction in Nigeria.

A significant development is unfolding in Nigeria, where Segun Olowookere, a man who has spent the last ten years on death row for stealing hens and eggs, has been promised a pardon by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke. Olowookere was just 17 years old in 2010 when he, along with an accomplice named Morakinyo Sunday, was arrested after allegedly attacking a police officer's home armed with a wooden gun and a sword, resulting in their peculiar theft.

In 2014, both individuals received the extreme sentence of death by hanging from Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State High Court, inciting widespread outrage across Nigeria. Many citizens deemed the penalty excessively harsh for the crime committed, which involved the procurement of poultry rather than significant violence or robbery.

Since then, Olowookere and Morakinyo Sunday have been incarcerated in the notorious Kirikiri maximum security prison located in Lagos. Recently, Governor Adeleke released a statement highlighting the necessity of protecting life and ensuring justice within the state. He directed the Commissioner for Justice to begin the proceedings for a prerogative of mercy for Olowookere, expressing his commitment to fairness and life preservation in Osun State.

Although Olowookere's parents, human rights activists, and many other concerned Nigerians have long been vocal in their plea for his release, the fate of Morakinyo Sunday remains uncertain, as he was not mentioned in Adeleke's announcement. In a recent podcast appearance, Olowookere's distraught parents tearfully appealed for their son's pardon, underscoring the emotional toll the situation has taken on their lives.

If all goes according to plan, Olowookere is expected to be granted his freedom by early 2025. While Nigeria has not conducted any executions since 2012, the country currently has over 3,400 individuals awaiting the death penalty.