…Was 19 year-old When Offence Was Committed
New revelations have emerged regarding a 33-year-old Segun Olowookere sentenced to death in Osun State purportedly for stealing a fowl.
Contrary to initial reports that he was sentenced for stealing a fowl, it has been confirmed that Olowookere was not only a member of a armed group that robbed houses, but was also a political thug associated with the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP).
it has equally been confirmed that he was born in January 1991, meaning he was 19 years old at the time he committed the offence, therefore could face trial under the law.
In a Statement of the Accused (made by Olowookere himself) contained in the judgement delivered on 17th December, 2014, by Justice O. S Falola of the state high court, Olowookere said, ” in the evening of 10/10/2010 when the PDP wanted to do the primary election of councillors, one of my friend, Adepoju Siju, visited me at my home and told me that he wanted to visit his girlfriend Tosin who is a daughter of one Alhaja. He said I should help him to call one Sunday and his group to my house for a business. I delivered the message to the boys and they followed me obediently to my house. On getting to my house, Siju Adepoju told those boys that we are going to guide one councillor till day break in the following morning because of the primary election that was going to hold on the following day.”
The convict added that, “When it was midnight Adepoju Siju called all of us together and said that we are going to Alhaja’s house, the mother of his girlfriend to rob her of certain amount of money. When it was exactly 12 O’Clock midnight, we left my house.”
Recall that the trial judge, Justice Falola (rtd) has reportedly averred on a WhatsApp group discussion that the said Olowookere was fairly prosecuted under him for armed robbery and was sentenced according to the dictates of the law.
In his words, “The convict was a member of a notorious gang of robbers, armed with guns and other dangerous, who were going from house to house, especially the houses that were in secluded parts of the towns ( Okuku, Oyan, etc). They robbed so many houses and injured a lot of people. They raided a poultry and shot the owner. All in broad daylight. Along the line, they were caught red handed, fully armed.
At the conclusion of the case, the court convicted them of robbery with fire arms, and sentenced each of them ( not one) to death.”
Meanwhile, Olowookere’s connection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised questions about the motivations behind Governor Ademola Adeleke’s desire to grant him a pardon.
Many are wondering why the governor is so eager to release an armed robbery convict while others are languishing in prison for lesser crimes.
“Why is the state government usually linked with controversial characters? There is a case of Emir Ajagungbade, an Appointee of the governor, who is facing criminal charges of murder, terrorism and kidnapping at a federal high court. The case of another appointee of the governor, Nurudeen Alawonle, arrested recently with a service pistol and ammunition, is yet to settle,” a commentator explained.
Find below the reproduced text of the Statement of the Accused Persons as contained in the Judgement of Justice Falola
STATEMENT OF THE ACCUSED PERSONS
Name: OLOWOOKERE SEGUN
Nationality/Tribe: Nigeria/Yoruba
Age:19 years
Occupation: Student
Religion: Christianity
Address:Ajirotutu Compound Oyan, Osun State
I of the above name and address have been duly cautioned in English Language that I am not obliged to say anything to this charge, unless I wish to do so, but whatever I say will be taking down in writing and shall be used as an evidence against me in the Court of Law.
That I attended Olaiya Nursery and Primary School Oyan. I also attended Folorunsho Memorial College, also at Oyan. I was born into the family of Mr. & Mrs. Olowookere on January,1991. I am the only son of my parents.
In the evening of 10/10/2010 when the PDP wanted to do the primary election of councilors, one of my friend Adepoju Siju visited me at my home and told me that he wanted to visit his girl friend Tosin who is a daughter of one Alhaja and he said that he would sleep at my house at night because I am the only one that is living in a six bedroom flat. When it was 8’0 clock in the night, my friend Adepoju Siju called me on my phone. He said I should help him to call one Sunday and his group to my house for a business. I delivered the message to the boys and they followed me obediently to my house. On getting to my house, Siju Adepoju told those boys that we are all going to guide one councilor till day break in the following morning because of the primary election that was going to hold on the following day.
When it was midnight Adepoju Siju called all of us together and said that we are going to Alhaja’s house, the mother of his girlfriend to rob her of some certain amount of money. He said Tosin the daughter of Alhaja will open the door for us when we get there. He also said that he has arranged with Tosin to make sure that she open the door for us.When it was exactly 12 0’clock midnight, we left my house.
