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The governor of the southwestern state of Osun has promised forgiveness to a Nigerian man who spent 10 years on death row for stealing some chickens and eggs.
Segun Oloookere 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 antique wooden gun and a sword, but only got away with the poultry.
In 2014, Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State High Court sentenced them to death by hanging after finding them guilty of forcibly breaking into the police officer’s house and stealing his belongings.
At the time there were protests across Nigeria as many felt the sentence was too harsh.
The duo was later transferred to the notorious Kirikiri maximum security prison in Lagos State, where they were held in the death row wing.
In a statement on Tuesday, Governor Ademola Adeleke ordered that Olowookere should be pardoned because it was important to protect the sanctity of life.
“I have ordered the Commissioner of Justice to initiate processes to grant the prerogative of clemency to the young man.
“Osun is a land of justice and equity. We must ensure equity and the protection of the sanctity of lives,” the governor posted on X.
The fate of Morakinyo Sunday, who was sentenced alongside Olowookere, is unclear as his name was not mentioned in the statement.
For years, Oloookere’s parents, human rights groups and other Nigerians have fought for his release.
His parents were recently on a podcast where they cried and begged for forgiveness for their only son.
He is expected to be released in early 2025.
Nigeria has not carried out any executions since 2012, but there are currently more than 3,400 people on death row.
