Osun Governor Pardons Teenager After PRNigeria FactCheck Reveals Misrepresentation of Robbery Case
Hours after PRNigeria published a fact-check dispelling viral claims on social media that two Nigerian teenagers were sentenced to death for stealing poultry, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has granted clemency to the young convicts.
In a statement on Thursday, the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, announced that Olowookere was pardoned alongside his accomplice, Sunday Morakinyo.
The erroneous claim that the duo received a death sentence for stealing fowl spread rapidly on social media, prompting widespread outrage.
However, PRNigeria’s investigation clarified that the pair were convicted in 2014 for armed robbery, which included the theft of poultry during a break-in at a police officer’s home in 2010.
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Following a radio program that ignited the online discourse, erroneous narratives circulated, suggesting that a teenager faced execution for poultry theft in Osun State. PRNigeria‘s fact-check revealed the truth behind the headlines, leading to the governor’s decision to review the case.
This revelation sparked public debate and led to sensational media reports with titles like “Governor vows pardon for teenager sentenced to death for stealing fowl after 14 years in jail.”
Upon closer investigation, PRNigeria established that Olowookere Segun and Morakinyo Sunday were not just involved in petty theft; they committed armed robbery involving multiple victims. Their criminal activities included previous robberies with weapons, resulting in a conviction for conspiracy, robbery, and theft.
While it is true that the theft of poultry occurred, the principal crime was armed robbery, which drastically misrepresented in the social media claims.
PRNigeria concludes that the assertion that a teenager was sentenced to death solely for poultry theft is misleading. The actual conviction was for armed robbery and related offenses.
By PRNigeria
