Osun Governor Orders Investigation and Clemency for Man Sentenced to Death Over Fowl Theft
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has directed a full investigation and clemency proceedings for a young man sentenced to death by hanging for stealing a fowl. The case, which has drawn significant public attention, involves a convict arrested in 2010 and sentenced in 2014 under laws that classify theft involving a weapon as armed robbery, a capital offence.
In a statement shared on X.com, Adeleke expressed concern over the situation and called for fairness and justice. “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,” the governor wrote. “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 attached to our response to the matter.”
The case has sparked widespread outrage, with many Nigerians criticizing the severity of the punishment. Social media users have contrasted the sentence with leniency often shown to high-profile offenders. One user, #Uncle_Olu_, wrote, “Imagine a country where someone spent 14 years in jail and was sentenced to death by hanging because he stole fowl. Fowl… but someone who stole over N80b was just given a N500m fine.”
Others pointed out the legal technicalities, suggesting that the man may have been convicted of armed robbery due to the use of a weapon during the theft. “Even if you steal ₦20 and you carry a knife, it’s armed robbery,” wrote #TheYemiKing, who shared a news report of the case from 2014. “The judge must give a death sentence, as that’s what the law says. But the judge recommended that the governor can commute the death sentence. Why didn’t Aregbe?”
Governor Adeleke’s intervention has been widely praised as a step toward ensuring justice and equity. The incident has also reignited calls for judicial reform to address the disproportionate sentencing of minor offenders and ensure the legal system serves the principles of fairness and humanity.
