Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has criticized Nigeria’s judicial system, describing it as riddled with “harsh inequalities” in delivering justice.
Obi’s comments come in response to the case of Segun Olowookere, sentenced to death for stealing a fowl in Osun State.
In 2010, at the age of 17, Olowookere and an accomplice, Morakinyo Sunday, were arrested for breaking into the homes of a police officer and another individual.
After prolonged legal proceedings, Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State High Court convicted them of burglary and theft in 2014, sentencing them to death by hanging.
The ruling has sparked widespread debate, prompting Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to intervene. The governor directed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to review the case and initiate processes for a possible prerogative of mercy.
In a statement, Governor Adeleke said, “Osun is a land of justice and equity, and we must ensure fairness and protect the sanctity of lives. I assure the public that this matter is receiving my direct attention with the urgency it deserves.”
Reacting via his X handle on Friday, Obi praised Governor Adeleke’s intervention while condemning the glaring disparities in Nigeria’s justice system.
He wrote, “I commend Governor Ademola Adeleke for stepping in to prevent the inhumane punishment of death by hanging for the theft of a fowl and eggs—an offence for which the individual has already served 14 years in prison.
“That sentence alone far exceeds the demands of justice, even if the crime warranted consideration in the first place.
“This case highlights the harsh inequalities in Nigeria’s legal system. Those who embezzle billions of public funds are often celebrated, even when caught, while ordinary citizens face disproportionate punishments. At the same time, individuals pursuing honest and legitimate businesses are burdened with oppressive regulations and treated with suspicion, as though success through integrity is a crime.”
In a recent interview on the Talk To B show hosted by actress Abiola Adebayo, Olowookere’s parents shared their plight. They recounted the events leading to their son’s conviction, the hardships endured over the years, and their hope for justice after more than a decade of legal struggles.