ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Governor Alex Otti of Abia State on Saturday received three Nigerians who recently regained their freedom after spending 26 years on death row at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Lagos.
Among them was Mr. Ogbonnaya Igbojionu, an indigene of Ibere in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State; Olawale Adediji, of Yoruba origin; and a third individual who was unable to join the visit to Government House.
Presenting the former inmates to the governor, Mr. Simon Oshi from Enugu State, who played a key role in securing their release, said he discovered their case through a social media post by popular influencer, Olumide Ogunsanwo, popularly known as ‘Sea King.’
“When the influencer shared their story on social media, I felt compelled to verify it. I visited them at Kirikiri Prison with a team of lawyers and the influencer,” Oshi said.
He explained that during the visit, one of the inmates, Igbojionu, disclosed he was from Abia State.
“I told him I know your governor and that he’s a good and compassionate leader. I assured him I would reach out to Governor Otti,” Oshi recounted.
According to Oshi, the trio had been sentenced to death in 2003 over a disputed generator sale that occurred in 1999.
Upon informing the governor, he said Otti acted swiftly by dispatching the Abia State Attorney General to investigate the matter. Once verified, the governor contacted both the Lagos and Ogun State governments, setting in motion the process that eventually led to their release.
“After 26 years behind bars, Otti secured their freedom. This is a testament to his commitment to justice and compassion,” Oshi said.
Receiving the men, Governor Otti expressed gratitude to Oshi for his persistence and commended Ogunsanwo for using his platform to highlight the injustice.
“A typical Nigerian might say, ‘It doesn’t concern me,’ but you went out of your way. If you hadn’t brought it to my attention, I wouldn’t have known,” Otti stated.
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He clarified that although the case was tried in Ogun State, the inmates were held in Lagos, and he appreciated the cooperation of Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
“When I contacted Governor Abiodun, he acknowledged the letter and assured me he would act. Just last week, he called while I was out of the country to inform me they had been released,” the governor said.
“Justice is everything,” he added. “You can accumulate wealth, but if you don’t help build a just society, it’s meaningless. We all leave this world someday, and material possessions won’t follow us.”
Governor Otti assured the ex-inmates of the state’s support in rebuilding their lives. He directed Commissioners Uzor Nwachukwu (Local Government) and Ikechukwu Monday (Power and Public Utilities) to work with relevant agencies to ensure proper reintegration.
“This might not fall under your direct responsibilities, but I’m tasking you to coordinate their reintegration,” he told them.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Mr. Igbojionu narrated his harrowing experience.
He said he had purchased a generator from one Segun Ajibade in 1999, but two weeks later, Ajibade returned with police officers, claiming the item was stolen.
He alleged that he was severely beaten, forced to sign a pre-written statement without reading it, and was subsequently remanded and sentenced to death in 2003.
Igbojionu thanked Governor Otti for rescuing him from the brink of death and offering him a fresh start.