The parents of Segun Olowookere, a young man sentenced to death 14 years ago after being falsely accused of stealing, have shared their emotional ordeal during an interview on Talk to B, hosted by actress Biola Bayo.
The elderly couple recounted the tragic story of their son, who was arrested at just 17 years old in Osun State for allegedly stealing a fowl. To their shock and heartbreak, Segun was sentenced to death by hanging.
Despite the passage of time, Segun remains on death row, with all attempts to secure bail or file an appeal being unsuccessful. The couple revealed that they were unable to pay the N30,000 initially required for his bail, a situation that continues to haunt them. Their story highlights the devastating impact of systemic failures on innocent lives.
In a viral video circulating online, the elderly couple revealed that despite being on trial and incarcerated, Segun pursued his education, studied medicine, and successfully graduated while from prison.
Segun’s parents made a heartfelt plea to the current governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, urging him to review their son’s case and show compassion by tempering justice with mercy.
Segun’s mother tearfully said, “The people of Nigeria, I went somewhere. I never thought I would return home. When I got there, I was just having goose bumps. So I thought, even if my journey ends here, my son should just be free. There is no place, we haven’t gotten on this case. He studied medicine and graduated there. I call on Ademola Adeleke to please apply leniency.”
Segun’s father narrated, “They said the children stole fowl and eggs. Everyone in the neighbourhood was begging him to run away. Either you know about it or not, you are lucky. He insisted that he would not run since he did not steal the fowl. That was why the police came and we entered the trouble. The DPO asked us to find N30k if I did not want my son to go to Prison. At the end, we were able to raise N20k.”