The governor of Osun State, south west of Nigeria, Ademola Adeleke has promised to pardon Segun Olowookere, who has spent a decade on death row for stealing hens and eggs in 2010. The case has highlighted concerns about Nigeria’s criminal justice system and proportionality in sentencing.
Olowookere was 17 when he and accomplice Morakinyo Sunday were arrested for raiding a police officer’s home with a wooden gun and sword. Their 2014 death sentence by Justice Jide Falola sparked nationwide controversy over its severity, leading to sustained advocacy efforts for Olowookere’s release.
The pair have been held in Lagos’ notorious Kirikiri maximum security prison’s death row wing since their conviction. Governor Adeleke has directed his Justice Commissioner to initiate mercy proceedings for Olowookere, citing the importance of protecting “sanctity of life,” though Sunday’s fate remains unclear.
The anticipated early 2025 release comes after years of campaigning by Olowookere’s parents, human rights organizations, and concerned citizens. While Nigeria hasn’t executed anyone since 2012, over 3,400 inmates remain on death row across the country.
