“I met Segun Olowookere in Kirikiri Prison”: How a man was sentenced to death for poultry theft

• A young man, Segun Olowookere, was arrested in 2010 and sentenced to death by hanging
• The court sentenced Olowookere to death by hanging as a 17-year-old for stealing poultry in Osun State
• Dr. Femi Olaleye shared details of how Olowookere, now 31, spent 14 years in prison

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over seven years of experience covering metro, government politics and international events

Osogbo, Osun State – The doctor and social entrepreneur Dr. Femi Olaleye has narrated that the young man, Segun Olowookere, was just 17 years old when he was arrested in 2010 for stealing chickens.

Olaleye said Olowookere was sentenced to death by hanging for conspiracy, life imprisonment for robbery and three years imprisonment for theft.

According to Olaleye's post on LinkedIn, he and his co-accused Morakinyo Sunday stole chickens and committed other crimes.

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He said he learned about it when he first met Segun Olowookere at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Lagos State.

The court sentenced Olowookere and his co-accused to prison terms even though their crimes were relatively minor.

The court, however, recommended that the governor of Osun State could grant them clemency after serving 10 years in prison.

The doctor lamented that the young man's life had been destroyed by injustice and he had spent most of his life in prison.

Olaleye said the man, now 31, had spent 14 years in prison, much of his adult life.

He said the death sentence was a stark reminder of how disproportionate the punishment was compared to minor crimes like stealing chickens.

“Segun’s case reflects the countless others who cannot afford this opportunity. He has spent years in prison with little hope of seeing the outside world again unless the state governor intervenes – an unlikely possibility given the historic lack of mercy in Osun.”

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Adeleke seeks pardon for Osun man sentenced to death

Legit.ng It was previously reported that Olowookere, who was sentenced to death for poultry theft, may soon receive a state pardon.

Governor Ademola Adeleke has taken steps to pardon Olowookere after she intervened in the case that went viral on social media.

Adeleke ordered the Attorney General and the Commissioner for Justice to conduct a full investigation and initiate procedures to grant the young man the privilege of clemency.

Proofread by Kola Muhammed, journalist and editor at Legit.ng

Source: Legit.ng