- Governor Ademola Adeleke granted a pardon to Segun Olowookere, sentenced to death for armed robbery, along with 52 other inmates
- The pardons were based on recommendations from the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, highlighting Adeleke’s commitment to justice reform
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has granted pardon to Segun Olowookere, who was sentenced to death in 2014 for armed robbery. The pardon also extended to his accomplice, Sunday Morakinyo.
Olowale Rasheed, the governor’s spokesperson, announced the decision on Thursday, clarifying misinformation that the sentence was for stealing a fowl.
The Osun State Judiciary explained the conviction stemmed from armed robbery incidents, including stealing from a poultry in 2010.
Governor Adeleke, acting on the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, pardoned 53 inmates in total.
“Based on the council’s advice and under the powers granted by Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), I am pleased to grant clemency to 53 convicts serving various sentences,” Adeleke said.
He outlined the categories of pardons:
- 30 inmates convicted of minor offenses had their sentences fully forgiven.
- 12 inmates received outright pardons for simple offenses.
- Sentences for six death row inmates were commuted to outright release.
- One death row inmate, Ojekunle Timothy, had his sentence reduced to 15 years after serving 10 years in custody.
Among those released were Olowookere and Morakinyo, along with two others, Tunde Olapade and Demola Odeyemi.
Olowookere and Morakinyo were arrested in 2010 for breaking into the homes of a police officer and another individual, stealing valuables.
In 2014, Justice Falola of the Osun State High Court sentenced them to death by hanging after finding them guilty.
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