Matthew Onocheta
OSOGBO – Nigeria’s Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has intervened in the case of a 17-year-old reportedly sentenced to death by hanging for stealing a fowl, ordering swift action for his pardon.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s spokesman Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke directed the state’s Attorney General to investigate the case and ensure the man is considered for the prerogative of mercy before the year’s end.
He revealed in a post on social media platform X that he had ordered a review following reports that the said victim was sentenced to death by hanging.
Adeleke wrote: “I have received the report of a case of a young man reportedly sentenced to death by hanging in Osun State for stealing a fowl.
“Consequently, I have directed the Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice, Osun State to commence full investigation into the matter and initiate processes to grant prerogative of mercy to the young man.
“Osun is a land of justice and equity and must ensure fairness and protection of the sanctity of lives. I assure members of the public that this matter is receiving my direct attention with every sense of urgency also attached to our response to the matter.”
A high court, sitting in Ikirun area of the state sentenced Segun Olowookere, an indigene of Osun State, who was 17 years old at that time, for robbing a poultry farm in Oyan, Odo-Otin local government.
He was said to have stolen a fowl and eggs.
Olowookere was convicted and sentenced to death and currently in Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison.
Segun is the only son of his parents.
The parents pleaded with the governor to grant their son amnesty. They also appealed to the State House of Assembly’s Speaker Adewale Egbedun to intervene in the matter.
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