On Tuesday, Nigerians were shocked by reports about Segun Olowookere, an only child from Osun State, who was sentenced to death for allegedly stealing fowls.
Various versions of the story emerged, sparking widespread disbelief over what many considered an excessive punishment for such an offense.
Our correspondent, who has been following the case, reports that Olowookere was detained in 2010.
The complainant in the case was actually a family member of Olowookere. He was arrested when he was just 17 years old, at the time the crime was said to have occurred.
In an exclusive interview, Olowookere provided a detailed account of the circumstances leading to his sentencing.
The Facts:
Olowookere, along with another man, Sunday Morakinyo, was arrested in November 2010 in Oyan, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State.
They were accused of robbing a policeman, Tope Balogun, of two fowls and eggs.
The two were charged in January 2013 for robbery and stealing before Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State High Court in Ikirun.
Olowookere and Morakinyo were accused of conspiring to rob Oguntade Faramade of his fowls and eggs worth N20,000.
They were also said to have robbed Balogun Taye of his two mobile phones and attempted another robbery at the home of Alhaja Umani Oyewo.
The charge sheet mentioned that they were armed with cutlasses and a Dane gun, intending to rob one Elizabeth Dare of a gallon of vegetable oil.
Although both men pleaded not guilty to the charges, Olowookere later confessed to the police, admitting his involvement in the crime.
Six witnesses, including the victims and three policemen, testified against them.
Olowookere’s defense lawyer, Ayo Omolesho, argued that his client was innocent, as he was not arrested at the scene of the crime and that the prosecution had failed to prove its case.
However, Justice Falola found both men guilty, sentencing them to death for conspiracy to commit armed robbery, life imprisonment for robbery, and three years for stealing on December 17, 2014.
By that time, Olowookere was 21 years old. The judge also recommended that the state governor might decide to commute the death sentence to 10 years in light of the convicts’ young age.
Olowookere’s Account:
Olowookere, who is currently on death row, explained that he would have been released earlier if his family could have met the N30,000 bail demanded by the police.
He recalled, “I was at my father’s shop in Oyan after returning from school. My dad and I were discussing my university admission when we suddenly heard gunshots. Everybody ran, but my father and a few others stayed behind. My father was taken to a police van, and I was told to run, but I didn’t know why. I went to meet them and was detained.”
He continued, “When I got to the police station, they told me that one of the children arrested had mentioned me as their gang leader. They accused me of stealing two broilers and crates of eggs. But I denied it, as I only knew these children in the community, and I had nothing to do with them.”
Olowookere described how he and Morakinyo were tortured in police custody. He said, “We were tortured from the first day we arrived at Okuku Police Station. The children who allegedly committed the crime weren’t beaten, but we were.”
He also recalled the experience of being denied bail when his father could only raise N20,000 instead of the N30,000 demanded by the police. “The police refused to accept the N20,000 and moved us to the SARS office in Osogbo before my father could return,” Olowookere explained.
Betrayal by Family:
Olowookere revealed that the poultry farm from which the fowls were reportedly stolen belonged to his uncle.
Despite initially stating that Olowookere had no involvement in the theft, his uncle later testified against him in court.
Olowookere denied making any confessional statement to the police, saying, “I never wrote any statement to the police. My parents never had a flat, not to mention a six-bedroom flat. I lived with my parents until I was arrested.”
He also mentioned that his co-convict, Morakinyo, suffered severe physical abuse while in detention and developed mental health issues.
“Morakinyo bled from different parts of his body due to the torture. He became mentally ill, and I had to take care of him in prison,” Olowookere said.
Governor Adeleke’s Intervention:
In light of Olowookere’s case, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke intervened, directing the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, to investigate the case and initiate the process for a pardon.
Adeleke posted on his X account, “I have received the report of a young man reportedly sentenced to death by hanging in Osun State for stealing a fowl. I have directed the Attorney General to commence a full investigation and initiate processes to grant a prerogative of mercy.”
Controversy Surrounding the Case:
Despite Adeleke’s intervention, there has been significant debate over the fairness of Olowookere’s conviction.
A former Attorney General in Oyo State, Mutalubi Adebayo, cautioned the governor, claiming that Olowookere was part of a notorious armed robbery gang and had been fairly tried.
“The convict was a member of a notorious gang of armed robbers,” Adebayo stated, warning against actions that could undermine the judicial system.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana also criticized the death sentence, calling it illegal due to Olowookere’s age at the time of the crime.
“The trial, conviction, and death sentence were illegal,” Falana stated. He emphasized that the case should have been heard by the Osun State Family Court because Olowookere was a minor when the offense was committed.
Lingering Appeal and Financial Constraints:
The appeal of Olowookere’s case has been pending for over a decade at the Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, with financial constraints being a major factor in the delay.
Despite the involvement of multiple lawyers, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria has yet to appear at the appellate court.
Olowookere continues to hold onto hope of proving his innocence one day. “I believe I will be free one day and will study medicine,” he said, adding, “I’m not a criminal; I have never stolen anything in my life.”
