The governor of the southwestern state of Osun has promised a pardon to a Nigerian man who spent 10 years on death row for stealing chickens and eggs.
Segun Olowookere was 17 years old in 2010 when he was arrested along with his accomplice Morakinyo Sunday.
They are said to have attacked the home of a police officer and another person with an old-fashioned wooden pistol and a sword, but escaped with only the fowl.
In 2014, Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State High Court sentenced the two to death by hanging after finding them guilty of forcibly breaking into the policeman’s house and stealing his belongings.
At the time, there was an outcry across Nigeria as many believed the sentence was too harsh.
The duo were subsequently transferred to the notorious Kirikiri maximum security prison in Lagos State, where they were on death row.
In a statement on Tuesday, Governor Ademola Adeleke ordered that Olowookere should be pardoned as it was important to protect the sanctity of life.
“I have instructed the Commissioner for Justice to initiate procedures to grant the young man the right to clemency.
“Osun is a land of justice and equity. We must ensure justice and protection of the sanctity of life,” the governor posted on X.
The fate of Morakinyo Sunday, who was convicted along with Olowookere, is unclear as his name was not mentioned in the statement.
Olowookere’s parents, human rights groups and other Nigerians have been fighting for his release for years.
His parents were recently featured on a podcast crying and begging for a pardon for their only child.
He is expected to be released in early 2025.
Nigeria has not carried out an execution since 2012, but more than 3,400 people are currently on death row.
