Osun State Governor in Nigeria, Ademola Adeleke, has granted a pardon to Segun Olowookere, popularly known as the “death-for-fowl” convict, and his co-convict, Sunday Morakinyo. The decision follows widespread public outcry after Olowookere’s story went viral.
Olowookere, arrested at age 17 in November 2010, was convicted and sentenced to death in 2014 for conspiracy to commit armed robbery, robbery, and stealing. His plight resurfaced recently when his mother pleaded for intervention during a podcast appearance, drawing significant attention on social media.
In a statement released by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke confirmed the pardon of Olowookere, Morakinyo, and 51 other inmates as part of his exercise of the constitutional prerogative of mercy.
The statement read:
“In line with the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Governor Ademola Adeleke has exercised the prerogative of mercy towards 53 convicts serving various convictions within the Nigerian Correctional Service.”
Among those pardoned are individuals convicted of capital offenses who demonstrated good conduct, including Tunde Olapade and Demola Odeyemi.
This act of mercy aligns with Governor Adeleke’s directive last week to investigate Olowookere’s case thoroughly. The governor’s decision has been widely praised as a step toward justice reform and compassion for individuals entangled in the legal system under harsh circumstances.
