Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has expressed concern over the reported death sentence of a young man in the state for stealing a fowl.
In a statement shared on X.com on Tuesday, Adeleke directed the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to thoroughly investigate the matter and initiate steps to grant the man a prerogative of mercy.
He wrote:
“I have received the report of a case of a young man reportedly sentenced to death by hanging in Osun State for stealing a fowl.
“Consequently, I have directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Osun State, 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 and must ensure fairness and protection of the sanctity of lives. I assure members of the public that this matter is receiving my direct attention with every sense of urgency also attached to our response to the matter.”
The case, which has drawn significant public attention, reportedly involves a young man arrested in 2010 and sentenced to death in 2014 after being convicted of stealing a fowl.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning the severity of the punishment for what is perceived as a minor offence.
On X.com, users expressed their frustration:
#Uncle_Olu wrote:
“Imagine a country where someone spent 14 years in jail and was sentenced to death by hanging because he stole a fowl. Fowl. But someone who stole over ₦80 billion was just given a ₦500 million fine.”
#Sholisea tweeted:
“Sentencing someone to death because he stole a fowl is the height of it in this country.”
Others highlighted that theft alone does not warrant a death sentence unless it involves armed robbery, which includes the use of weapons.
#TheYemiKing, sharing a 2014 news report, wrote:
“Even if you steal ₦20 and carry a knife, it’s armed robbery. The case is from 2014. The judge must give a death sentence, as that’s what the law says. But the judge recommended the governor could commute the sentence. Why didn’t Aregbe?”
#egi_nupe added:
“No court will sentence you to death for stealing a fowl. Stealing is not a death sentence. However, if the person was armed with a knife, gun, iron rod, or machete, it’s armed robbery, and the law prescribes a death sentence if found guilty.”
The governor’s intervention has rekindled conversations about justice, equity, and the need for a review of harsh penalties for non-violent crimes in Nigeria.
