A Nigerian man, Kolawole Oladeji, has been languishing in jail since 1999, after being sentenced to death for allegedly being in possession of a stolen generator in Ogun State. The 64-year-old technician, who was arrested on October 30, 1999, says he was detained after a generator, allegedly stolen by someone else, was brought to his workshop for repair.
Kolawole was initially held in a prison facility in Ogun State before being transferred to Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Apapa, Lagos State. Speaking in an exclusive audio message, Kolawole explained his side of the story. He claimed that on the day of his arrest, a customer had brought a generator to his workshop for repair. According to him, the person who brought the generator was not arrested, while Kolawole was charged and later sentenced to death by hanging in 2003 along with three other individuals: Sunday Oloyede, Ogbona Igbojionu, and Segun Ajibade.
Kolawole stated that he was only a repairer and did not know that the generator was stolen. He recalled that after repairing the generator, Sunday Oloyede came to pick it up and took it to another individual, Ogbona Igbojionu. Despite his claims of innocence, Kolawole was sentenced to death on January 14, 2003, while the alleged thief, Segun Ajibade, was freed by the then Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, in 2016.
Kolawole voiced his frustration over the injustice, saying, “I am a Yoruba person and I have been in jail since 1999 for a crime that I did not commit. The person who brought the generator has gone home while I remain here.”
He further revealed the pain of losing his loved ones, stating that his mother and wife had both passed away while he remained on death row. Despite the release of the individual who allegedly brought the stolen generator to him, Kolawole has not seen any progress in his case. His death sentence has kept him in jail for over two decades, and he remains hopeful for justice.
Kolawole’s case has raised concerns about the fairness of the legal system and the handling of criminal cases in Nigeria. As his case continues to draw attention, many are calling for a review of his sentence and for justice to be served.
