Trial Judge Defends Death Sentence Handed down to Chicken Thief in Osun

Justice Falola, the embattled judge who was responsible for the sentencing of a young boy to death in 2010 for stealing Chicken and Eggs has defended his decision to hand down the death sentence at the time.

This is coming after being faced with public backlash for his earlier judgment following the decision of the current governor of the state, Sen. Ademola Adeleke to commute the sentence after 14 years.

Background of the case

In 2010, 17 year old Segun Olowookere was arrested along with his accomplice, Morakinyo Sunday for alledgedly attacking the home of a police officer and another person with an old-fashioned wooden gun and a sword but only got away with the chicken.

In 2014, Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State High Court sentenced the two to death by hanging after finding them guilty of forcefully breaking into the police officer’s house and stealing his belongings. They were subsequently moved to the notorious Kirikiri maximum security prison in Lagos state where they’ve been in the death row wing.

Following pleas by Olowookere’s parents and a recent appearance on a podcast where they cried and begged for their only child to be pardoned, Osun state Governor, Ademola Adeleke directed the state’s commissioner for Justice to initiate processes to grant prerogative of mercy to him.

This decision has shone the spotlight on the case once again, generating uproar amongst Nigerians.

Judge Does Not Regret Death Sentence

The judge in the eye of the storm, Justice Falola does not regret the sentencing he gave 14 years ago, he reaffirmed Segun and his accomplice were not convicted for chicken theft but on armed robbery.

He stated Segun and his accomplice were part of a notorious gang that terrorized Okuku, Oyan and its surrounding communities carrying out violent home invasions, and robbery in the area.

According to him, the conviction was as a result of the suspects being caught at the scene of a poultry farm robbery where the poultry owner was shot armed with firearms.

He further stated the court had earlier told the previous administration to commute the death sentence to life imprisonment which the Governor at the time did not act upon.

Moving Forward

Olowookere Segun is expected to be released from detention in early 2025 but it is unclear at the moment what the fate of his accomplice, Morakinyo Sunday would be.

 

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