Nigerian Governor Promises Pardon For Man On Death Row For Stealing Hens
A Nigerian man, Segun Olowookere, who has spent a decade on death row for stealing hens and eggs, is set to receive a pardon from Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.
Olowookere was 17 years old in 2010 when he and an accomplice, Morakinyo Sunday, were arrested for breaking into the homes of a police officer and another individual armed with a wooden gun and a sword. Despite their weaponry, they managed only to steal poultry.
In 2014, Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State High Court sentenced both men to death by hanging for their crimes, sparking nationwide outrage as many Nigerians deemed the punishment excessively harsh. The pair were later transferred to the death row wing of the notorious Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Lagos.
On Tuesday, Governor Adeleke announced his decision to pardon Olowookere, emphasizing the importance of justice and the sanctity of life. “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,” the governor wrote in a statement on X.
While Olowookere is expected to regain his freedom in early 2025, the fate of his accomplice, Morakinyo Sunday, remains uncertain as he was not mentioned in the governor’s statement.
For years, Olowookere’s parents, human rights activists, and concerned Nigerians have campaigned tirelessly for his release. His parents recently made an emotional appeal during a podcast, pleading for clemency for their only child.
Nigeria has not carried out an execution since 2012, but more than 3,400 inmates remain on death row across the country.
