Peter Obi, former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, has made a new revelation regarding the case of a man recently sentenced to death by hanging in Osun State for stealing a fowl. Obi disclosed that the individual had already served 14 years in prison for the same crime before being condemned to death. The revelation was made in a post on Obi’s official X account.
Obi also commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for stepping in to prevent the execution, calling the death sentence inhumane. He argued that the punishment far exceeded the demands of justice, especially considering the man had already spent over a decade in prison for the same offense.
In his statement, Obi criticized Nigeria’s legal system, highlighting the stark inequality in how justice is applied. He pointed out that while those who embezzle public funds are often celebrated, individuals who speak out or engage in legitimate business are criminalized and oppressed. Obi condemned the system that rewards impunity while punishing integrity and called for urgent judicial reforms and genuine accountability in governance.
Governor Adeleke had ordered a prerogative mercy for Segun Olowookere, the convicted man, following public outcry and the efforts of his mother, Folashade Olowookere, who shared the family’s painful ordeal in an interview. Obi’s comments reflect growing concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of the judicial system in Nigeria