The tragic tale of Segun Olowookere, a young man who was sentenced to death for allegedly stealing a fowl and eggs in 2010, has once again sparked outrage after his parents, Olowookere Olarenwaju and Folashade, shared their heartbreaking story. Their account highlights years of pain, injustice, and hope for clemency.
Segun, their only child, was arrested at the age of 17 in Osun State under controversial circumstances. His parents recently spoke on the Talk To B show, hosted by actress Abiola Adebayo, narrating how their son’s ordeal began and the subsequent hardships they’ve endured.
Segun’s father, Mr. Olowookere, revealed that their troubles began two years before the arrest when a cleric warned the family of an impending generational curse on their son.
“The cleric said the battle would be tough, but if God spared his life, it would be the only battle he would ever fight,” he said.
Two years later, their nightmare unfolded when police arrested Segun after accusing him of stealing a chicken and eggs. Despite his protestations of innocence, the situation spiraled out of control.
Recalling the day of the arrest, Mr. Olowookere described how police apprehended Segun after raiding the area and firing shots. Several other boys were also taken in for questioning. Initially, Segun’s schoolmates vouched for his innocence, but he was later identified by a relative as one of the alleged thieves.
“I urged my son to run when we heard what happened,” Olowookere said. “But he refused. He said he wouldn’t run because he was innocent.”
Later that evening, Segun was arrested at home. At the station, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) demanded ₦30,000 for his release, a sum the family could not afford. Despite managing to raise ₦20,000, the DPO refused to accept it, escalating the case.
The case quickly escalated, and Segun became the sole defendant after the other boys were released. His father revealed that the DPO manipulated his age, claiming he was an adult because he had completed secondary school. This adjustment placed Segun outside the jurisdiction of juvenile protections.
Although their relative, who owned the stolen chicken, initially stated Segun was not involved, he later reversed his testimony in court, labeling Segun as the ringleader of the alleged theft. Based on this testimony, Segun was sentenced to death.
“I cried when the judge gave the sentence,” his father recalled. “My son told me, ‘Don’t cry, Daddy. If I’m truly innocent, I won’t be killed.’”
Since his sentencing, Segun has been moved across various prisons, including Kiri Kiri in Lagos. Despite the harsh conditions, he pursued his education, studying a medical course while selling food to fund his schooling.
“He called us to celebrate his graduation, but we couldn’t attend because we had no money,” his mother said tearfully.
The ordeal has taken a heavy toll on the family. Segun’s mother has developed hypertension, and the family has been financially drained after years of legal battles and advocacy.
The family’s plight has drawn public attention, leading to a directive from Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State for the attorney general to investigate the case. This could pave the way for clemency after over a decade of incarceration.
“People keep asking us what can be done, but we don’t know anymore,” Segun’s mother said. “If God has kept him alive for a purpose, I believe He will bring him out.”
Segun’s story has raised questions about the justice system, particularly the fairness of imposing a death sentence for a minor offense. Advocacy groups and citizens have called for a review of the case, emphasizing the need for reforms to protect the rights of vulnerable individuals.
For Segun’s parents, the hope for justice remains alive, even as they battle despair. They pray that their son’s ordeal will finally come to an end, allowing them to heal from years of unimaginable pain.
