LIVE UPDATES
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State on Saturday welcomed three Nigerians who were released after spending 26 years on death row at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Lagos.
Among those freed were Ogbonnaya Igbojionu, a native of Ibere in Ikwuano LGA, Yoruba man Olawale Adediji, and a third person who could not accompany them to meet the governor.
Simon Oshi from Enugu State, who helped facilitate their release, presented the former inmates to Otti and shared that he became aware of their situation through social media influencer Olumide Ogunsanwo, known as ‘Sea King.’ “Upon reading their story online, I felt the need to confirm it.
I visited them at Kirikiri Prison with a group of lawyers and the influencer,” Oshi stated.
He recounted how Igbojionu mentioned he was from Abia State, prompting Oshi to tell him about Governor Otti being a compassionate leader and that he would reach out to him.
According to Oshi, the men received death sentences in 2003 due to a disputed generator sale from 1999. Following Oshi's communication, Otti promptly sent the Abia State Attorney General to investigate.
Once the facts were established, the governor reached out to the Lagos and Ogun State governments, starting the process that ultimately led to their release.
“After 26 years in prison, Otti achieved their freedom, showcasing his dedication to justice and compassion,” Oshi remarked. Upon receiving the men, Otti expressed his gratitude to Oshi for his relentless effort and praised Ogunsanwo for advocating for justice using his platform.
“Typically, a Nigerian might say, ‘It doesn’t concern me,’ but you chose to act. If you hadn’t brought this to my attention, I wouldn’t have known,” Otti emphasized.
He mentioned that even though the trial occurred in Ogun State, the inmates were held in Lagos.
He thanked Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for his collaboration in the matter. “When I reached out to Governor Abiodun, he acknowledged the letter and promised to take action. Just last week, while I was abroad, he informed me of their release,” Otti stated. “Justice is paramount,” he added.
“One can amass wealth, but without fostering a just society, it loses its meaning. We all leave this earth one day, and material wealth won’t accompany us.”
The governor promised the ex-inmates full support for their reintegration and instructed Commissioners Uzor Nwachukwu (Local Government) and Ikechukwu Monday (Power and Public Utilities) to collaborate with relevant agencies to assist in their rehabilitation.
“This may not directly fall under your duties, but I’m assigning you to coordinate their reintegration,” he instructed. Speaking on behalf of the freed inmates, Igbojionu shared his experience.
As a generator dealer, he recounted purchasing a generator from Segun Ajibade in 1999. Shortly after, Ajibade returned with the police, alleging the generator was stolen.
Igbojionu claimed he was beaten, coerced into signing a statement he hadn’t read, and was sentenced to death in 2003 after being detained since 1999.
He expressed immense gratitude to Governor Otti for saving him from death and granting him another chance at life.
