The Executive Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has pardoned Segun Olowokere, the man who was sentenced to death for stealing chicken and eggs 14 years ago.
Recall that an Osun State High Court in Ikirun convicted Olowokere and others for robbing a poultry farm in Oyan, Odo-Otin local government area of the state in 2010.
He was 17 years old when he was convicted.
The governor also commuted the sentences of 52 other convicts.
In a recent statement issued in Osogbo, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Olawale Rasheed, said in a statement the order was in line with the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
He added the recommendation by the council was to mark this year’s Christmas celebration.
The letter of commutation dated December 24 has since been received and acknowledged by the relevant prison authorities.
Rasheed said the inmates recommended for the prerogative of mercy were inmates convicted of simple offences and had served substantial portions of their sentences.
According to him, the prerogative of mercy extends also to convicts sentenced to death but have spent a minimum of 10 years in custody.
He said: “In the case of the 30 inmates convicted of simple offences, I have decided in accordance with the said recommendation to remit and forgive the remainder of the said sentences in whole.
“Whereas, I have decided in accordance with the said recommendation to grant outright pardon to 12 inmates convicted of simple offences.
“Four convicts have their sentences commuted from death to outright pardon.
“And whereas I have decided in accordance with the said recommendation to commute the sentences as follows, one convict has his sentence commuted from death to 15 years imprisonment.”
Trezor Bridge