Nigerian man promises pardon after spending 10 years on death row for stealing chickens

A Nigerian man who spent 10 years on death row for stealing some chickens and eggs has been promised clemency by the governor of south-western Osun state.

Segun Olowukere was 17 years old in 2010 when he was arrested on Sunday along with his partner Morakinyo.

They are said to have attacked the house of a police officer and another man with an old-fashioned wooden gun and a sword, but escaped with only the chickens.

In 2014, Osun State High Court Justice Jide Falola sentenced the duo to death after finding them guilty of breaking into the house of a police officer and stealing his belongings.

There was outrage throughout Nigeria at the time as many people felt the punishment was too harsh.

The two were later taken to the notorious Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Lagos State, where they were sentenced to death.

In a statement on Tuesday, Governor Ademola Adeleke directed that Olowukere should be pardoned as it was important to protect the sanctity of life.

“I have directed the Justice Commissioner to initiate the process of granting mercy privileges to the youth.

“Osun is a land of justice and equality. We must ensure fairness and protection of the sanctity of life,” the governor posted on Twitter.

The fate of Morakino Sunday, who was sentenced along with Olowukere, is unclear as his name was not mentioned in the statement.

For years, Olowukere’s parents, human rights groups and other Nigerians have been fighting for his release.

His parents were recently on a podcast, where they cried and pleaded to forgive their only child.

He is expected to be freed in early 2025.

Nigeria has not carried out any executions since 2012 but currently has more than 3,400 people on death row.