NB247
Segun Olowookere, who was sentenced to death for stealing a chicken, has been released from the Kirikiri Prison, an official of the Osun State Government has said.
His release followed a state pardon by the governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleye.
He is released alongside Sunday Morakinyo, and other convicts also pardoned by the governor.
Special Adviser to Governor Adeleke on Public Communication, Olusola Ajala, who confirmed this at a function, said “the freed young man is on his way to the state.
“I can confirm to you all that Segun Olowookere, sentenced to death for stealing, has been released from the Kirikiri Maximum Prison,” he said.
“He will be in Osun State any moment from now. He may even join us at the gathering and meet with Mr Governor.
“That is the level of compassion of the performing governor.”
It was gathered that the necessary documents for the release of Olowookere would be perfected on Monday for him to be back in his town in Okuku latest by Tuesday.
It will be recalled that Olowookere was sentenced to death by an Osun State High Court on December 17, 2014, for conspiracy to commit armed robbery, robbery and stealing after being arrested and convicted in November 2010.
The matter went viral on social media when his mother appealed to Nigerians to intervene in his case.
It was the outcry that led to intervention of Governor Adeleke, who instructed the Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to wade into the matter while some legal luminaries warned him against intervening in the court matter.
However, relief came his way and the other inmate as spokesperson for the governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, in a statement, announced the pardon of Olowookere, Morakinyo, and 51 other inmates.
According to him, the inmates have been ‘pardoned,’ while the relevant agencies have since acknowledged receipt of the letters sent to them to this effect.