Otti meets death row survivors freed after 26 years

Jul 6, 2025 - 13:50
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Otti meets death row survivors freed after 26 years

Governor Alex Otti of Abia Sing on Saturday obtained two of three males currently released from Kirikiri Maximum Security Penal advanced after spending 26 years on death row, following a prolonged correct ordeal linked to a disputed generator sale in 1999.

The males, Ogbonnaya Igbojionu from Ibere in Ikwuano Native Govt Keep of Abia Sing, and Olawale Adediji, were portion of a trio convicted in 2003 for theft-connected expenses. A third man, whose identification was now not today disclosed, was reportedly unable to fling for the assembly at Govt Home, Umuahia.

The assembly was facilitated by Mr. Simon Oshi, an recommend from Enugu Sing, who traced the males’s case after learning about it via a social media put up by online influencer Olumide Ogunsanwo, popularly identified as “Sea King.”

“When the influencer shared their chronicle, I was moved to examine,” Oshi stated. “I visited them at Kirikiri Penal advanced with an correct physique of workers and confirmed their case. One of them, Mr. Igbojionu, mentioned he was from Abia. I told him I’d attain out to Governor Otti.”

Oshi stated the males were sentenced in Ogun Sing and incarcerated in Lagos. Upon confirming their identification and the case historical past, Governor Otti contacted every Lagos and Ogun Sing authorities. He credited the eventual release to the cooperation of Ogun Sing Governor Dapo Abiodun.

“When I reached out to Governor Abiodun, he acknowledged our letter and warranted me he would act,” Otti stated. “Upright final week, he known as while I was away to expose me the release had been effected.”

Governor Otti also expressed appreciation to Oshi and Ogunsanwo for drawing consideration to the case. “Must you hadn’t introduced it to my consideration, I wouldn’t maintain identified,” he stated. “Different participants might perchance direct, ‘It’s now not my field,’ however your intervention made the adaptation.”

He emphasized the importance of justice, pronouncing, “Without justice, wealth and model are meaningless. What counts is the roughly society we abet secure.”

To make stronger the reintegration of the worn inmates, Otti directed the Commissioners for Native Govt and for Strength and Public Utilities, Uzor Nwachukwu and Ikechukwu Monday, respectively, to work with relevant agencies to coordinate rehabilitation plans.

“That is perchance now not portion of your formal mandate, however I'd like you to make your mind up on this up and predicament it via,” Otti urged. Talking all the map in which via the controversy over with, Mr. Igbojionu recounted the circumstances resulting in his imprisonment. He stated he had bought a generator from one Segun Ajibade in 1999, correct for the vendor to later return with the police, claiming the merchandise was stolen. He alleged he was assaulted all the map in which via interrogation and made to signal a observation he wasn’t allowed to be taught. He was remanded in 1999 and later sentenced to death in 2003.

Expressing gratitude, Igbojionu stated, “I thank Governor Otti for saving my existence and giving me a 2nd likelihood. After 26 years, I did now not interrogate to see the originate air world again.”

The case has drawn renewed consideration to the challenges of prolonged pre-trial detentions and the must haves of inmates on death row in Nigeria’s correctional machine.