By: Our Correspondent
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun has ordered an investigation into the case of Segun Olowookere, a 17-year-old boy sentenced to death in 2010 for allegedly stealing chicken and eggs from a poultry farm in Oyan, Odo-Otin Local Government Area . The governor's decision comes after the boy's parents appealed for clemency, highlighting the unfairness of the punishment and the boy's young age at the time of the crime.
Adeleke's order is contained in a statement issued by his Spokesperson, Malam Olawale Rasheed, on Wednesday in Osun. The governor has also directed the state Attorney General, Mr. Oluwole Jimi-Bada, to intervene in the matter and ensure the convict's name is included in the list of inmates to be granted prerogative of mercy before the end of the year.
Segun's parents, Folashade and Olanrewaju Olowookere, have been vocal about their son's case, pleading with the governor to use his power of amnesty to grant their son a second chance . They claim that their son was wrongly accused and that the punishment is excessive considering the minimal value of the items stolen.
The governor's decision has been welcomed by human rights groups, who have long advocated for the review of the boy's sentence. The Centre for Justice, Mercy, and Reconciliation (CJMR) has called on Adeleke to establish a Board of Mercy to address the needs of prisoners, particularly those on death row.
The case highlights the need for justice reform and the importance of considering the circumstances of each case when determining punishment. As Adeleke said, "Osun is a land of justice and equity. We must ensure fairness and protection of the sanctity of lives".
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