Osun Governor Orders Investigation, Clemency for Man Sentenced to Death Over Fowl Theft
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has expressed deep concern over the reported death sentence of a young man in the state for stealing a fowl.
In a statement on X.com (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Governor Adeleke instructed the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to thoroughly investigate the case and begin the process of granting a prerogative of mercy to the individual.
“I have received the report of a young man reportedly sentenced to death by hanging in Osun State for stealing a fowl,” the governor wrote. “Consequently, I have directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to commence a full investigation into the matter and initiate processes to grant prerogative of mercy to the young man.
“Osun is a land of justice and equity, committed to ensuring fairness and the sanctity of lives. I assure the public that this matter is receiving my direct attention and will be addressed with urgency.”
The case, which has drawn widespread public attention, involves a man who was reportedly arrested in 2010 and sentenced to death by hanging in 2014 after being convicted of stealing a fowl.
The severity of the punishment for what many consider a minor offense has sparked outrage on social media.
One user, #Uncle_Olu, criticized the judicial system, commenting, “Imagine a country where someone spent 14 years in jail and was sentenced to death by hanging because he stole a fowl. But someone who stole over ₦80 billion was fined just ₦500 million.”
Another user, #Sholisea, tweeted, “Sentencing someone to death because he stole a fowl is outrageous. This country needs to review its justice system.”
Some users pointed out that a death sentence is typically reserved for armed robbery, which involves the use of weapons. Sharing a news report from 2014, #TheYemiKing explained, “Even if you steal ₦20 and carry a weapon, it’s armed robbery, which mandates a death sentence under the law. The judge in this case recommended that the governor could commute the sentence. Why didn’t the previous administration act?”
Similarly, #egi_nupe added, “No court will sentence you to death for mere theft. However, if the theft involved a weapon like a knife or machete, it qualifies as armed robbery, which carries a death sentence.”
The governor’s intervention aims to address the public outcry and ensure justice is tempered with mercy in line with the principles of fairness and equity.
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