GOVERNOR Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has expressed concern over a reported death sentence of a young man in the state for stealing a fowl.
In a statement on X.com on Tuesday, Adeleke directed the state’s attorney general and commissioner for justice to launch a full investigation into the case and initiate processes to grant the young man a prerogative of mercy.
He wrote, “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.
“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 also attached to our response to the matter.”
The case, which has attracted widespread attention, reportedly involved a young man who was reportedly arrested in 2010 and sentenced to death by hanging in 2014 after being convicted of stealing a fowl.
The incident has raised questions about the severity of the punishment for what many consider a relatively minor offence.
#Uncle_Olu_ commenting on the governor’s statement, wrote on X.com, “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.”
#Sholisea also tweeted on X, “Sentencing someone to death because he stole a fowl is the height of it in this country.”
Some others pointed out that theft itself does not warrant a death sentence unless there are additional elements, such as the use of weapons, making it qualify as armed robbery.
Sharing a news report of the case in 2014, #TheYemiKing wrote on X, “Even if you steal ₦20 and you carry a knife, it’s armed robbery. The case is 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?”
#egi_nupe wrote, “No court will sentence you to death for stealing a fowl. Stealing is not a death sentence. However, if the man is harmed with either a knife, gun, iron rod, machete, or gun while stealing, that’s armed robbery, and it’s a death sentence if found guilty.”