In Nigeria, the heartbreaking story of Segun Olowookere, sentenced to death for stealing chickens and eggs at the age of 17 and eventually pardoned after ten years on death row, has sparked shock and compassion across the country. The case, marked by clemency granted by Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, illustrates the power of justice and mercy in a society seeking fairness and redemption.
Segun Olowookere’s life changed in 2010 when he and his accomplice Morakinyo Sunday were involved in breaking into a police officer’s house, armed with a wooden pistol and a sword, to steal poultry. These actions, while reprehensible, led to a cruelly disproportionate sentence: death by hanging in 2014, sparking a national outcry over the severity of the punishment.
For a decade, Segun Olowookere languished in the jails of Kirikiri maximum security prison, awaiting an uncertain outcome. It was then that Governor Adeleke took the courageous step of restoring balance and dignity by granting clemency to the now 31-year-old. In a gesture of humanity, he underscored the importance of upholding justice and respect for life, the fundamental values of a truly just and equitable society.
“Osun is a land of justice and equity,” the governor said in a statement carried by the media. The decision, though belated, heralds a new chapter in the life of Segun Olowookere, who is expected to be released by early 2025. However, the fate of his accomplice Morakinyo Sunday remains uncertain, casting a shadow over an apparent redemption.
For years, Olowookere’s family and human rights activists have mobilized for his release, pleading for clemency and rehabilitation. His parents’ moving appeal in a recent podcast underscores the quest for reconciliation and forgiveness that animates their hearts as parents eager to reunite with their only child.
In Nigeria, where the death penalty remains in force but has been rarely carried out since 2012, more than 3,400 people are anxiously awaiting their fate. The case of Segun Olowookere highlights the flaws of a sometimes ruthless judicial system and raises questions about the clemency, humanity and dignity that should guide our societies in the quest for truly fair and equitable justice.