2 Years After Osun Defender Story, Osun Govt Grants Amnesty To Man Sentenced To Death For Stealing Fowls, Eggs
After nearly a decade of anguish and relentless appeals by the family of Segun Olowookere, a young man sentenced to death by hanging for stealing a fowl and eggs, the Osun State Government has finally granted him amnesty.
The decision, coming two years after Osun Defender first broke the story, marks a significant turn in the young man’s tragic tale.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, in a statement released on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, directed the state’s Attorney General to expedite the processes of prerogative of mercy for Segun.
The Governor emphasized the need to uphold justice, equity, and the sanctity of life in Osun State.
“I have read about the case. I recognize the separation of powers in our democracy. In this particular matter, I have directed the Commissioner for Justice to initiate processes to grant prerogative of mercy to the young man. Osun is a land of justice and equity. We must ensure fairness and protect the sanctity of lives,” Governor Adeleke said.
Segun, who was just 17 years old at the time of his conviction, has spent the last decade in Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison after an Osun State High Court sitting in Ikirun sentenced him to death in 2014.
The court found him guilty of robbing a poultry farm in Oyan, Odo-Otin Local Government, where he was accused of stealing a fowl and some eggs.
READ ALSO: Adeleke Directs Pardon For Man Sentenced To Death For Stealing Fowl
Ahead of the Governor’s second anniversary in office, Segun’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Olowookere, intensified their plea for clemency.
Speaking to newsmen last Thursday, Segun’s mother, Mrs. Folashade Olowookere, appealed passionately to the Governor, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, and other stakeholders to intervene.
“We have sold our properties to secure his release since he was convicted in 2014. Segun is a brilliant boy who has a bright future ahead of him. We must not allow him to waste the peak of his life within the four walls of the prison,” she pleaded.
Segun’s father, Mr. Olanrewaju Olowookere, also begged for the Governor’s intervention, insisting that his son was innocent of the charges.
“Segun was arrested while playing with his friends in my shop. It was a setup. We have been in grief since he was sentenced. Governor Adeleke’s intervention is our only hope,” he said.
In his response, Governor Adeleke assured the public that the case was receiving his direct attention and emphasized that a sense of urgency would guide the state’s actions.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
