Nigerians were left in shock on Tuesday as reports flooded social media about the sentencing of Segun Olowookere, an only child, to death in Osun State for allegedly stealing fowls.
The news sparked debates across the country, with many questioning what seemed to be an extreme punishment.
The story behind the conviction revealed a more complex chain of events. Olowookere, detained since 2010, was arrested at just 17 years old.
The complainant in the case was a family member, and the proceedings that led to the harsh sentencing were marred with claims of inconsistencies and lack of proper evidence.
The Arrest
Olowookere, alongside Sunday Morakinyo, was apprehended in Oyan, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, in November 2010.
They were accused of robbing a policeman, Tope Balogun, of two fowls and eggs. Additional charges included the attempted robbery of Alhaja Umani Oyewo and the theft of vegetable oil from one Elizabeth Dare.
Both suspects denied the charges but were eventually convicted.
On December 17, 2014, Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State High Court sentenced Olowookere and Morakinyo to death for conspiracy to commit armed robbery, life imprisonment for robbery, and three years for stealing.
Justice Falola suggested that the governor could commute their death sentences to 10 years, considering their age.
Speaking from death row in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, Olowookere described his harrowing experience.
“I was at my father’s shop discussing my university admission when police stormed the area,” he recounted. Despite his father urging him to flee, Olowookere chose to confront the officers. “I wondered what my offence was, so I surrendered myself.”
At the station, Olowookere was accused of being the gang leader of a group of boys who had stolen poultry.
“The DPO told me some children arrested earlier mentioned my name. I denied it because I had no involvement with them beyond greeting them in the community,” he said.
Despite his denial, Olowookere and Morakinyo were tortured and forced to cut grass at the station.
When his father attempted to secure his bail with N20,000, the police rejected it, demanding N30,000. Before his father could gather the remaining amount, Olowookere was transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad office in Osogbo.
Claims of Torture and False Statements
Olowookere alleged that the cutlasses used for cutting grass were later presented as weapons used in the robbery.
“I never wrote any confessional statement,” he maintained. He also pointed out discrepancies in the testimony of the complainant, a relative who initially promised to withdraw the case but later testified against him.
Morakinyo, his co-defendant, developed severe mental health issues from the torture they endured.
“He bled from his ears, nose, and head. Despite this, the police offered no treatment,” Olowookere said.
Olowookere revealed his aspiration to study medicine. While in custody, he enrolled in a college of education but later shifted focus to medical training within the prison, noting, “I pray to God to set me free and give me the opportunity to prove my innocence. I want to be useful to society.”
Following the public outcry, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke intervened, directing the state Attorney General to investigate the matter and consider granting Olowookere a pardon.
In a statement on his X account, Adeleke said, “Osun is a land of justice and equity. I assure members of the public that this matter is receiving my direct attention.”
The governor’s action has rekindled hope for Olowookere, whose journey from a teenager accused of theft to a death row inmate underscores deep flaws in the justice system.
