Segun Olowookere, an Osun State resident who was sentenced to death in 2010 for allegedly stealing a chicken and eggs, has been released after spending 13 years behind bars.
Governor Ademola Adeleke granted clemency to Olowookere and 52 other convicts on December 26, 2024. The decision followed widespread attention brought to Olowookere’s case through a viral interview with actress Biola Adebayo. In the interview, Olowookere’s parents alleged that their son was wrongfully arrested, and their inability to pay a bribe demanded by a divisional police officer (DPO) led to his imprisonment.
Adebayo, who had been advocating for Olowookere’s release, shared a video on social media showing him leaving Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison. She expressed gratitude to Governor Adeleke for his intervention and praised Olowookere’s exemplary behavior during his time in prison.
“This is Segun Olowookere; we are just leaving Kirikiri. He is finally out of the correctional center. Thank you so much for the love and support we received,” Adebayo said.
She added: “Segun is a very good guy. The testimonies at the correctional center were amazing. We are glad that he is out now for good. Thank you to Governor Ademola Adeleke; we are grateful.”
Olowookere’s release has sparked discussions about justice reform and the role of public advocacy in addressing wrongful convictions in Nigeria.
