OUTRAGEOUS INJUSTICE: JUDGE FALOLA’S DEATH SENTENCE ON TEENAGER FOR STEALING FOWL EXPOSES NIGERIA’S ROTTEN JUDICIARY
By Kayode Adeyemo // In a shocking display of judicial recklessness, Investigative Journalist and Human Rights Activist, Olayiwola Ibrahim Slams Justice Falola of the Osun State High Court, sitting at the Osogbo High Court premises, for sentencing a 17 year old boy, Segun Olowookere, to death by hanging for stealing a fowl.
This egregious miscarriage of justice has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with many calling for the judge’s impeachment and a thorough overhaul of Nigeria’s corrupt judiciary.
The case, which was heard at the Osogbo High Court premises, has raised questions about the competence and impartiality of Justice Falola, who seemed more interested in meting out a harsh punishment than in upholding justice.
The fact that the boy was sentenced to death for a non capital offense, while politicians and government officials who have stolen billions of naira are given bail and allowed to walk free, is a stark reminder of the systemic rot that pervades Nigeria’s judiciary.
As Dele Farotimi, a renowned lawyer and author, noted in his book, Nigeria’s Judiciary: A Study in Injustice, the country’s judiciary has become a tool for the oppression of the poor and the vulnerable, while the rich and powerful are allowed to manipulate the system to their advantage.
The case of Segun Olowookere is a classic example of this phenomenon.
While politicians like Yahaya Bello, who have been allegedly accused of embezzling billions of naira, are given bail and allowed to continue their lavish lifestyles, a poor teenager who steals a fowl to survive is sentenced to death.
This is a clear case of selective justice, where the powerful are protected and the weak are persecuted.
Recall that the same court has been used severally against some poor person’s representated by Justice Ayilara on a case of land dispute where a police officer name Adesoji Aremu a.k.a SOJ attached to Oke Baale police division, Bolarinwa Taoreed, Morufu Adeleke Elewedu abd Ramoni Omotuntun shot one mr Sikiru Rasheed in his leg at his residence.
All effort to get justice has been detered using the High Court Judge represented by justice Ayilara woth bribery resulting to a frustrated effort and sending the poor person’s to be remanded at ilesha several times due to being compromised by the judge and the policeman under the watch of the State Governor Ademola Adeleke and the commissioner for Justice.
I commend the Osun State Government, led by Governor Ademola Adeleke, who took an immediate action to address this injustice.
The governor must use his powers to grant Segun Olowookere clemency and ensure that he receives a fair trial.
The state’s Attorney General must also investigate the conduct of Justice Falola and take disciplinary action against him for his reckless and unjust decision.
Furthermore, the National Judicial Council NJC, must take immediate action to address the systemic rot in Nigeria’s judiciary.
The NJC must investigate the conduct of judges who have been accused of corruption and incompetence, and take disciplinary action against those found guilty.
In conclusion, the death sentence passed on Segun Olowookere by Justice Falola is a travesty of justice that must be condemned by all.
It is a stark reminder of the systemic rot that pervades Nigeria’s judiciary, and the need for urgent reforms to ensure that justice is served fairly and impartially.
We demand justice for Segun Olowookere, and Sikiru Rasheed who us being mention in this article, and we also demand that the Nigerian government takes immediate action to address the corruption and incompetence that has become endemic in our judiciary.
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