The Osun State Judiciary has vehemently rejected false claims surrounding the case of Segun Olowookere and Sunday Morakinyo, who were wrongfully reported to have been sentenced to death for stealing a fowl. The judiciary has criticized the spread of such misleading information, condemning it as a deliberate attempt to misinform the public.
The controversy arose when the parents of Segun Olowookere appeared on a podcast, alleging that their son had been sentenced to death for stealing a fowl. This prompted an investigation by Governor Ademola Adeleke, who ordered a review of the case and plans for the release of the convict.
In a statement issued on December 20, 2024, by the Registrar of the Osun State Judiciary, F.I. Omisade, the judiciary clarified the situation. Omisade explained that the charges against Olowookere and Morakinyo were not related to theft but rather to armed robbery. He emphasized that no one can be sentenced to death for simple theft—whether of a fowl or any other item—unless they are armed during the commission of the crime.
The statement revealed that the two individuals were caught robbing poultry in Oyan town in April 2010, during which they were armed with weapons. Both men confessed to committing multiple armed robberies, which led to their conviction. As the crime involved the use of weapons, the judge applied the mandatory death sentence as prescribed by law.
Additionally, Omisade refuted claims that the convicts were underage at the time of the trial, pointing out that their confessions indicated they were 19 and 18 years old, respectively, when the crime occurred. He criticized the distorted narrative being pushed, calling it an unjust attempt to tarnish the reputation of the trial judge and discredit the Osun State High Court as an institution.
Omisade also praised the trial judge for his magnanimity, highlighting that, beyond the legal verdict, the judge had recommended the convicts for the Governor’s mercy. This gesture reflected a compassionate approach to justice within the bounds of the law.