A Nigerian man promised amnesty after 10 years of being sentenced to death for stealing chickens
A Nigerian man who spent 10 years on death row for stealing chickens and eggs has been promised amnesty by the governor of Osun state in the southwest.
Segun Olowookere was 17 years old in 2010 when he was arrested along with his partner, Morakinyo Sunday.
It is said that they attacked the policeman's house with another person carrying an old wooden gun and a sword but escaped with the chicken.
In 2014, Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State High Court sentenced the two to death by hanging after finding them guilty of breaking into the policeman's house and stealing his belongings.
There was an outcry across Nigeria at the time as many felt that the sentence was too harsh.
The two were then moved to the infamous Kirikiri prison in Lagos state where they have been on death row.
In a statement on Tuesday, governor Ademola Adeleke ordered that Olowookere should be pardoned as it is important to protect the sanctity of life.
“I have tasked the Commissioner of Justice to initiate plans to grant leniency to this young man.
“Osun is a land of justice and equality. We must ensure justice and protection of the sanctity of lives,” the governor wrote in X.
The future of Morakinyo Sunday, who was sentenced with Olowookere, is unclear as his name was not disclosed in the statement.
Olowookere's parents, human rights groups and other Nigerians have been fighting for his release for years.
His parents recently played a podcast where they cried and asked for forgiveness for their only child.
He is expected to be released in early 2025.
Nigeria has not killed people since 2012 but currently more than 3,400 people are on death row.
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