A young man sentenced to death in Osun State for allegedly stealing a fowl has shared his emotional story. Segun Olowookere, now a convicted criminal, recounts the events that led to his arrest, detention, and eventual conviction. His case has raised questions about the fairness of legal proceedings and the methods used by law enforcement.
Olowookere, then 17, was arrested in 2010 in Oyan, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, following an incident that changed his life forever. He and another man, Sunday Morakinyo, were accused of stealing fowls and eggs.
The two were alleged to have committed multiple robberies, including the theft of items worth N20,000 and the alleged robbery of mobile phones from a policeman. Despite their pleas of innocence, Olowookere’s fate took a tragic turn when he was sentenced to death by the Osun State High Court in Ikirun.
Olowookere vividly recalls the day of his arrest. He was at his father’s shop in Oyan, discussing his future university admission. The day was interrupted by gunshots that sent people running for safety. Olowookere, confused and frightened, found himself targeted by the police.
“My father and I were talking about my university admission when we heard gunshots,” Olowookere told PUNCH. “Everyone scattered, except my dad and a few others. The police came for me and my father was taken away in a van.”
The police, according to Olowookere, could not initially explain his supposed crime. It was only when his father shouted that he should run that he decided to face the officers. “I went out to meet them because I didn’t know what my offence was,” he recalled.
Olowookere was soon detained at the Oyan Police Post and later transferred to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Okuku. It was here that he learned that he was accused of leading a group of children who were allegedly involved in the theft of the fowls and eggs.
Despite his denials, Olowookere claimed he was subjected to severe torture by the police to force a confession. “We were tortured from the moment I arrived at the Okuku Police Station. The children who were accused were not beaten, but I was forced to confess to a crime I didn’t commit,” he explained.
In a disturbing twist, Olowookere revealed that the police initially offered to release him on bail if his father could pay N30,000. However, his father could only raise N20,000, a sum the police rejected. “My dad went to get the money, but by the time he returned, I had already been moved to SARS custody in Osogbo.”
While in custody, Olowookere and Morakinyo were reportedly coerced into making false statements. The two men were allegedly given cutlasses to cut grass, which were later presented as evidence to suggest they were armed robbers.
Olowookere’s trial began in 2013, and despite his protests of innocence, he was convicted and sentenced to death. His case highlights serious concerns about police misconduct, torture, and the justice system in Nigeria.
“I have always maintained my innocence,” Olowookere stated, reflecting on the years of legal battles he has faced. “I didn’t commit the crime I was accused of, yet I was sentenced to death for something I didn’t do.”
The case has sparked debates about the fairness of criminal trials in Nigeria, especially in cases involving young individuals. Human rights activists have criticized the use of torture by police and the lack of proper legal representation for those accused of crimes.
The case of Segun Olowookere is not isolated. It highlights a broader issue of human rights abuses within Nigeria’s criminal justice system. The use of torture by law enforcement officers is a well-documented problem, with many victims reporting physical and psychological abuse aimed at securing confessions, even in cases where the accused may be innocent.
In Olowookere’s case, the police seemed to be under pressure to solve the crime quickly, leading to a rushed investigation and the eventual wrongful conviction of an innocent man.
The trial itself was also marred by inconsistencies. The fact that Olowookere was convicted based largely on a confession that he claimed was coerced raises serious concerns about the integrity of the evidence used against him. Legal experts argue that such confessions, often extracted through torture, should never be the sole basis for a conviction.
The involvement of young children in the alleged crime also calls attention to the vulnerability of minors in Nigeria’s justice system. Reports of children being arrested, detained, and even tried as adults for crimes they may not have committed are not uncommon.
Olowookere’s case has sparked public outrage, with calls for a review of his conviction and the legal processes that led to it. Human rights organisations and concerned citizens have called for a re-investigation into the case, citing the many inconsistencies in the police’s handling of the case and the serious allegations of torture.
“This case highlights the flaws in the justice system,” said a human rights activist who wished to remain anonymous. “The fact that Olowookere was sentenced to death for a crime that he may not have committed is a violation of his human rights. It is crucial that the authorities review this case and ensure that justice is served.”