Segun Olowookere, a Nigerian man who spent a decade on death row for stealing hens and eggs, has been promised a pardon by the governor of Osun state.
Olowookere, who was just 17 years old when he was arrested in 2010, was convicted alongside his accomplice, Morakinyo Sunday, after they were accused of attacking a police officer’s home and stealing poultry with an old-fashioned wooden gun and a sword.
In 2014, the Osun State High Court sentenced the duo to death by hanging for the break-in. The harsh sentence sparked nationwide outcry, with many Nigerians questioning the severity of the punishment. 
The two men were transferred to the notorious Kirikiri maximum security prison in Lagos, where they remained on death row.
On Tuesday, Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke announced that Olowookere would be pardoned, emphasizing the importance of protecting the sanctity of life. The governor directed the Commissioner for Justice to initiate processes for granting the pardon, with Olowookere expected to be freed in early 2025.
Olowookere’s parents, along with human rights organizations, have campaigned for his release for years, with his parents recently pleading for his pardon on a podcast. The fate of his accomplice, Morakinyo Sunday, remains unclear.
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