Two Kirikiri Inmates Serve Life Sentence Since 1999 Over Generator Repair

Two men, Mr. Kolawole Oladeji, a former generator technician, and Mr Ogbonaa Igbojonwu, a former trader from Ilasa, Ogun State, have appealed to the Lagos State government to review their decades-old case and file a new appeal.

The duo have been incarcerated since 1999 following an unresolved dispute over a generator repair and sale.

SaharaReporters learnt that in October 1999, Mr Segun Ajibade directed his driver, Mr Sunday Oloyede, to deliver a Lister generator to Mr Oladeji’s workshop for repairs.

However, after completing the repairs, Mr Ajibade allegedly instructed Oladeji to sell the generator.

Mr Igbojonwu purchased the generator in good faith, supported by receipts provided during the transaction.

However, both men were arrested shortly after the sale, alongside Mr Oloyede.

SaharaReporters gathered that in 2003, following a trial, they were convicted, sentenced to death, and later placed on life imprisonment.

Despite appealing their case up to the Court of Appeal, they allege they were misled into withdrawing their appeal with the promise of a pardon from the Ogun State governor—a promise that never materialized.

Meanwhile, Segun Ajibade, the alleged orchestrator of the events, has been granted a pardon by Ogun State Governor Ibidapo Abiodun under the prerogative of mercy.

The men have pleaded for justice, emphasizing the 25 years they have spent in prison over a matter they believe was mishandled by the police and judiciary.

Meanwhile, on Monday, members of the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement visited Oladeji and Igbojonwu at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Correctional Facility in Lagos.

The pro-democracy group described the incarceration as a miscarriage of justice and called for immediate action.

During the visit, TIB called for urgent action, including case review and appeal.

The TIB said, “Both inmates have been incarcerated at the facility since October 1999, facing charges of robbery.

“In October 1999, Mr. Segun Ajibade instructed his driver, Mr. Sunday Oloyede, to deliver a Lister generator to Mr. Kolawole Oladeji’s workshop for repair. After repairing it, Mr. Kolawole Oladeji was instructed to sell the generator to any willing buyer. Mr. Ogbonaa Igbojonwu purchased the generator, unaware of its origins, but saw receipts to that effect.

“Mr. Ogbonaa Igbojonwu subsequently purchased the generator and was arrested alongside Mr. Kolawole Oladeji.

Mr. Kolawole Oladeji further stated that: “He, along with Mr. Ogbonaa Igbojonwu and Mr. Sunday Oloyede (Mr. Segun Ajibade’s driver), have been imprisoned since 1999.

“After their trial in 2003, they were placed on death row and are now on life imprisonment.

“They appealed their case from the High Court to the Court of Appeal but were tricked into withdrawing the appeal with the promise of a pardon from the Ogun State Governor, which never materialized.

“Segun Ajibade, who allegedly orchestrated the events, has been granted a pardon (prerogative of mercy) by the Ogun State Governor, Ibidapo Abiodun.

“We recommend the following:
Case Review and Appeal: Their case should be reviewed, and a new appeal should be filed.
“Media Exposure: The media should be utilised to expose the incompetence of the Nigerian Police and the judiciary, particularly the failure of prosecutors to prove their cases beyond reasonable doubt and the inadequate investigation the Nigeria Police Force failed to do.”  (SaharaReporters)