Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has expressed strong concerns over the death sentence handed to Segun Olowookere in Osun State for allegedly stealing a fowl. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Obi praised Governor Ademola Adeleke for intervening to prevent the execution, describing the sentencing as inhumane and grossly disproportionate to the crime.

Obi highlighted the deep inequalities in Nigeria’s legal system, where minor offenders face harsh punishments, while those involved in large-scale corruption often escape justice. He remarked, “This case underscores the harsh inequalities of the Nigerian legal system. If you dare to speak freely, you are treated as a criminal and silenced.”

Segun Olowookere’s case has drawn significant public attention. Arrested in 2010 at the age of 17 and sentenced to death in 2014 for stealing a chicken, his plight has sparked outrage. In response, Governor Adeleke has directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to investigate the case and initiate steps to grant Olowookere a prerogative of mercy.

Obi used the incident to advocate for urgent judicial reform, calling for a system that punishes corruption and upholds justice. He criticized the current state of affairs, stating, “This is a system that rewards impunity while punishing integrity—a stark indictment of our need for urgent judicial reform and genuine accountability in governance.”

Governor Adeleke’s intervention and the growing public discourse around Olowookere’s case highlight the pressing need for a more equitable and humane justice system in Nigeria.