…laments state of Nigerian Correctional centers
… advocates for an effective alternative dispute resolution system
…Praises Gov Abiodun For Pardon
… Govs, Amnesty, Monarchs’ Intervention Needed — Evang Wole Badejo
Johnson Awoleke, a former police officer, shares his heart-wrenching story of wrongful conviction and imprisonment. He spent 10 years in prison.
Awoleke is one of the 41 inmates in Ogun prison who were recently granted amnesty by the Governor Dapo Abiodun.
“I was accused of killing someone I didn’t kill. I spent 10 years in prison for a crime I didn’t commit.” he said, with his voice trembling with emotion.
Awoleke’s ordeal began when he was serving at MOPOL16 officer in Ilaro. He and his team were tasked with enforcing a curfew imposed by the governor that no bike must operate in Ilaro from 8:00 pm, due to the kidnapping of a former Senator representing Ogun West at the National Assembly, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo.
During a botched operation, Awoleke’s junior officer, shot and killed an alleged cultist who was dragging Awoleke’s gun. However, Awoleke was accused of pulling the trigger and condemned to death.
His words “ On that night, while we were carrying out the assignment, around 10:00 pm, we saw some bike men carrying some guys, so we stopped them.Unknown to us, they were cultists. They were drunk.
“These guys engaged us in a fierce fight, insisting that we cannot seize their bikes. I was the leader of the operation. Suddenly, one of the cultists grabbed me and started dragging the gun I was holding with me in an attempt to collect the gun.
“Unfortunately, the guy dragging the gun with me was shot by my junior officer, Ojo Ayodeyi from behind. Immediately the guy was gunned down, others made a quick call to their fellow cultists, so when my other officers, including the one who pulled the trigger, saw them coming, they all took to their heels, leaving only me behind.
“While trying to escape the scene, I shot a bullet into the air, so they alleged that I was the one who killed the boy. On getting to the station, an SO who is now late had already given my junior officer who shot the guy another bullet to replace the one he shot, so as to cover him up. Since one of my bullets was missing, they concluded that I was the shooter.
Awoleke was left to dance to the music alone as all his three witnesses did not show up in court on the day of his trial.
“I had three witnesses who could have proven my innocence, but none of them showed up in court,” He recalls.
Awoleke’s story is a stark reminder of the injustices that exist in the Nigerian prison system.
HIS PRISON EXPERIENCE.
While still recounting his ordeal, Awoleke mentioned some inmates who are serving jail terms unjustly.
He said “There are many people in prison for offenses they didn’t commit”.
Still gripped with the ugly experience, soaked deep in emotion, Awoleke mentioned many inmates who were currently in prison for offenses they didn’t commit.
According to him some of these innocent inmates have spent over a decade, saying that some of them have died of different illnesses due to lack of access to healthcare.
“Alfa Luku and Asumo spent 23 years in prison without any offense. I saw people suffering from various health issues, including kidney problems, asthma, and hernia… they are still there”.
Despite the challenges he faced, Awoleke remained hopeful, while constantly praying to God. He started a religious program, “Let My People Go,” with one Baba Arowojobi, which brought comfort to his fellow inmates.
GOV ABIODUN PARDONS PRISON INMATES
Governor Dapo Abiodun, during the celebration of the 2024 Democracy Day, pardoned 41 inmates serving various jail terms across the correctional centres in the state while another 45 prisoners on death row had their death sentences commuted to imprisonment.
The governor said the pardoned inmates had acquired different vocational skills while some had obtained degrees from the National Open University.
Abiodun in his speech said “Having received the guidance of the Ogun State Advisory Council on Prerogative of mercy, I have signed appropriate warrants ordering the release of 41 convicts imprisoned across different correctional centres in the state.”
Awoleke praises the current Attorney General in Ogun State and Governor Dapo Abiodun for their efforts to address the issues in the prison system.
However, he emphasizes that more needs to be done. “The government needs to take a closer look at the prison system and work towards reforming it to ensure that justice is served and that those who are innocent are released.”
He appeals to the public to raise awareness about the issues in the prison system and support efforts to improve it.
“The only drug that the government is providing for prisoners is paracetamol. Women are there; pregnant women are suffering too. There are some minor cases that were supposed to be settled in the king’s palace, but they are giving them four
