- Osun Governor orders investigation, promises fairness in high-profile case.
- Human rights lawyer declares death sentence illegal, demands case review.
- Convict claims innocence, dreams of freedom and becoming a doctor.
Thirteen years after his arrest, Segun Olowookere, sentenced to death at 21 for armed robbery involving the theft of fowls and eggs, continues to assert his innocence. In an emotional interview with PUNCH, the now 34-year-old inmate recounted his harrowing experience, alleging police torture, legal irregularities, and societal abandonment.
The Arrest and Controversy
In November 2010, Olowookere, then 17, was arrested in Oyan, Osun State, alongside another suspect, Sunday Morakinyo. They were accused of robbing two fowls, eggs, and mobile phones, as well as attempting to rob a local resident, Alhaja Umani Oyewo.
Olowookere insists he had no involvement in the alleged crimes. “I was arrested at my father’s shop. The police claimed I was identified as the gang leader by children who were accused of the theft,” he said. Despite his denial, he was allegedly tortured and forced to confess.
The case escalated to the High Court in 2013, where Justice Jide Falola convicted Olowookere and sentenced him to death for conspiracy to commit armed robbery, alongside life imprisonment and three years for robbery and stealing.
Legal and Procedural Questions
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has described the sentence as unlawful, emphasizing that Olowookere was a minor at the time of the offence. “The trial should have been conducted in a Family Court as stipulated by law. The death sentence is illegal,” Falana asserted.
Falana added that even if the allegations were proven, a child cannot be subjected to corporal punishment or the death penalty under Nigerian law.
Governor Adeleke’s Intervention
Amid mounting public outcry, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke directed the state Attorney General to investigate and initiate processes to grant Olowookere a pardon.
In a statement, Adeleke said, “Osun is a land of justice and equity. I assure the public that this matter is receiving urgent attention.”
Life on Death Row
From his prison cell, Olowookere has embraced a new purpose. Unable to afford his dream of studying medicine, he now works with medical practitioners within the correctional facility.
“I’ve been assisting doctors and nurses since 2017. My dream is to become a doctor and serve society. I pray for freedom to prove my innocence and contribute positively,” he shared.
Torture and Trauma
Olowookere detailed the torture he and Morakinyo endured during detention. “We were beaten severely and forced to cut grass at the police station. The cutlasses used were later presented as robbery exhibits,” he said.
Morakinyo, who reportedly developed severe mental health issues due to the torture, now resides in a maximum-security facility. “He doesn’t recognize anyone anymore. It’s heartbreaking,” Olowookere lamented.
Lingering Appeal
Although the case was appealed in 2011, it remains unresolved due to financial constraints. The involvement of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria has yet to advance the appeal.
Call for Justice
As legal experts and human rights advocates demand a review of the case, Olowookere clings to hope. “I am not a criminal. I have never stolen in my life. I believe God will vindicate me,” he said.
The case has reignited debates over Nigeria’s justice system, with many questioning its fairness and treatment of vulnerable individuals.
