By Ayomide Otitoju
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has pardoned Segun Olowookere and Sunday Morakinyo, who were sentenced to death for armed robbery. The governor announced the decision in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, clarifying the circumstances surrounding their conviction.
The case had drawn widespread attention after social media reports claimed the pair were sentenced to death for stealing a fowl. However, the Osun State Judiciary clarified that the duo was convicted of armed robbery, including incidents involving a poultry robbery in 2010.
Governor Adeleke extended clemency to 51 other inmates alongside Olowookere and Morakinyo, following recommendations from the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
Governor’s Statement
“In line with the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy and in exercise of the power conferred on me by paragraph (a), (c), and (d) of subsection (i) of section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to extend my grace and mercy to 53 convicts serving various sentences within the Nigerian Correctional Service,” Adeleke stated.
He outlined the specifics of the clemency:
30 inmates convicted of minor offences had their sentences remitted entirely.
12 inmates received outright pardons.
6 death row convicts, including Olowookere and Morakinyo, had their sentences commuted to outright release.
Ojekunle Timothy, another death row inmate, had his sentence commuted to 15 years imprisonment after spending 10 years in custody.
Background of the Case
Olowookere and Morakinyo were arrested in 2010 for breaking into the homes of a police officer and another individual. They were found guilty of stealing property during the robbery. In 2014, Justice Falola of the Osun State High Court sentenced them to death by hanging.
The governor’s decision to grant clemency has sparked discussions about the role of executive mercy in addressing justice reform and rehabilitation.
Broader Clemency Efforts
Governor Adeleke’s exercise of clemency aligns with ongoing efforts to address overpopulation and reform in Nigeria’s correctional facilities. The release of inmates also reflects the state’s commitment to upholding justice while providing opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
