Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has, through his timely intervention, secured the release of Mr Ogbonnaya Igbojionu, an indigene of Abia, along with two other Nigerian citizens, who had spent 26 years on death row.
Mr Igbojionu was remanded in prison in 1999 and sentenced to death in 2003 in connection with a stolen generator which he had purchased.
From left; Mr Ogbonnaya Igbojionu and Mr Olawale Adediji
Presenting the freed men on Saturday, Honourable Simon Oshi from Enugu State, who had sought Governor Otti’s assistance, explained that he first became aware of the inmates’ plight through a popular social media influencer, Olumide Ogunsanwo, widely known online as “Sea King”.
Hon Oshi
“When the popular social media influencer brought it up on social media, I took it upon myself and said, let me actually go and verify if what they are saying is true.
“So, I went with a team of lawyers and also our popular influencer here too, to visit the two young men in Kirikiri prison. On getting there, I started interacting with them.
“And I asked him, where are you from? He said he’s from Abia State. I told him, I know your Governor, he’s a very good man and an amazing leader. I will pass this message across to him and get back to you.
“They were sentenced to death in 2003 over a case of a stolen generator that he bought. So, I told His Excellency. Immediately, the next day, he sent the Attorney-General of Abia State to Kirikiri to go and verify if all I told him was actually true.
“The Attorney-General went there, got back to him, and he said, ‘No, this can’t be. It can’t happen to a son of the soil in Abia State when he is the Governor.
“So, His Excellency, being a good leader and an amazing father to us all, hurriedly wrote a letter to the Governor of the State where they were held.
“From there, he kept on pushing and after spending 26 years in prison, His Excellency brought them back and now they have seen freedom”, Hon Oshi narrated.
Hon Oshi expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for his compassion and leadership, stating that Abians would show their appreciation by supporting him for a second term in office.
Receiving the freed citizens, Mr Ogbonnaya Igbojionu, Mr Olawale Adediji and a third individual who was unable to travel immediately, Governor Otti thanked Hon Oshi for his “doggedness and consistency” and praised the influencer for his courage.
Governor Otti remarked that God might have allowed the influencer to be remanded in a correctional facility for two weeks so he could help Mr Igbojionu and the others regain their freedom.
“A typical Nigerian would say it doesn’t concern me but because you’re a very good person, you took it upon yourself. If you didn’t bring it to my attention, I wouldn’t have known”, Govenor Otti said.
He explained how the case, which originated in Ogun State, required collaboration with his Ogun State counterpart and commended his brother Governor for supporting the process, stating that wealth is meaningless without justice.
“So, by the time we enquired, the twist was that they were in Lagos but it was an Ogun State matter. I want to use this opportunity to also thank my brother, Governor, colleague and friend, Dapo Abiodun, for also following through and being consistent.
“When I brought it to his attention and wrote the letter, he acknowledged it and said he was going to work on it. Just last week, I was away when he called me outside the country and said they have now been released.
“For us, justice is everything. You can have all the money in the world but if you don’t contribute to building a fair and just society, your money is useless.
“We will all come and go. People leave so much behind. Once you close your eyes and you don’t open them, that’s it. That’s the end. Whatever you would have accumulated and acquired would become useless,” Governor Otti stated.
Governor Otti who assured that his administration would fully support their reintegration into society, directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, and the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr Ikechukwu Monday, to work with the relevant government departments to ensure a smooth transition.
“It may not be their direct role, but I’m giving them the assignment to work with the relevant parts of government to ensure that they are reintegrated back into society.
“We will support you and get you back into the society. Having said that, I want to welcome you back to this part of the world. Thank God for preserving you up to this time,” the Governor added.
Speaking on behalf of the freed men, Mr Igbojionu, an indigene of Ikwuano Local Government Area, recounted his ordeal, explaining that he was a generator dealer who, in 1999, bought a generator from one Segun Ajibade.
He further explained that two weeks later, Ajibade returned to his shop with the men of the Nigerian Police Force adding that he was beaten and forced to sign a statement that he was not allowed to read.
Mr Igbojionu who said he was remanded in 1999, sentenced to death in 2003 and remained in prison until 2025, thanked God for using Governor Otti to spare their lives and secure their freedom after nearly three decades behind bars.
