In a tragic tale of alleged injustice, 64-year-old Nigerian technician Kolawole Oladeji has spent over two decades behind bars, sentenced to death for repairing a stolen generator—a crime he insists he did not commit.
Arrested on October 30, 1999, and sentenced to death by hanging on January 14, 2003, Kolawole remains on death row at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Lagos State.
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Kolawole’s ordeal began when a customer brought a generator to his workshop for repairs. Unbeknownst to him, the generator was allegedly stolen. He was later arrested, charged with three others—Sunday Oloyede, Ogbona Igbojionu, and Segun Ajibade—and convicted of theft in 2003.
In an emotional audio message obtained by SaharaReporters, Kolawole recounted his ordeal:
“I am a Yoruba person and I have been in jail since 1999 for a crime that I did not commit. I am a generator repairer and they gave me a generator to repair. The person that brought the generator to my workshop for repair has been released by Ibikunle Amosun, former governor of Ogun State, because he has people that have money. Since then, I have been left here alone. My mother has died and my wife has also died.”
According to Kolawole, Segun Ajibade—the individual he describes as the main culprit—was granted clemency in 2016 by then Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun. Ajibade’s release has left Kolawole and two others, including the driver who transported the generator and a prospective buyer, to languish in prison.
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Kolawole’s tragic story raises pressing questions about systemic injustices within Nigeria’s legal framework. The prolonged incarceration of an individual based on such circumstances, while the alleged principal offender walks free, has sparked outrage among those aware of his plight.
The case underscores the urgent need for a review of Kolawole’s conviction and the broader issue of delays in addressing miscarriages of justice. Advocates call on the Ogun State government and human rights organizations to intervene and ensure justice is served.
Key Facts:
- Name: Kolawole Oladeji
- Arrested: October 30, 1999
- Sentenced to Death: January 14, 2003
- Co-Defendants: Sunday Oloyede, Ogbona Igbojionu, and Segun Ajibade
- Current Status: Death row inmate at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison
This heartbreaking case remains a glaring reminder of the urgency to reform Nigeria’s judicial and correctional systems, emphasizing fairness and accountability for all citizens.
