Olayinka Afolalu, a Nigerian inmate, has spent the last 23 years in custody after being convicted of armed robbery in 2002. Arrested on April 27, 2002, in Ilawe Ekiti, he was charged with robbing two individuals of ₦225.00 and ₦1,750.00 using offensive weapons.
While acquitted of the first charge, he was sentenced to death for the second. Despite appeals to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, his conviction was upheld.
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In 2015, his death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by then-Governor Ayodele Fayose, citing good behavior and his positive transformation while at Kirikiri Maximum Security Correctional Centre.
Falana’s Plea for Clemency
Femi Falana, SAN, a renowned human rights lawyer, has formally written to Ekiti State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata, SAN, seeking clemency for Afolalu.
Falana highlighted Afolalu’s commendable conduct in custody and his acquisition of vocational skills, which position him as a valuable asset to society if pardoned.
Falana emphasized in his letter dated January 22, 2025, that the robbery incident did not involve physical harm to the victim. He also noted that the accomplices in the crime evaded arrest and were never declared wanted.
Quoting from the letter:
“Having confirmed that the convict has demonstrated good behavior while in prison custody and has acquired special skills that could be useful to society, we are compelled to request the Prerogative of Mercy Committee to recommend to Governor Biodun Oyebanji to grant full pardon to Olayinka Afolalu pursuant to section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.”
Key Details of the Case
- Incident Date: April 27, 2002
- Conviction: Sentenced to death for robbery of ₦1,750.00
- Good Conduct: Recognized by prison authorities
- Current Sentence: Life imprisonment (commuted in 2015)
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Next Steps
The Ekiti State Prerogative of Mercy Committee can now make the plea for clemency and recommend a full pardon to Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
Call to Action:
Follow this case as we track the clemency process for Olayinka Afolalu, a prisoner transformed by 23 years of rehabilitation.