Man Freed After 26 Years on Death Row Over Stolen Generator, Reunites With Mother

After spending more than a quarter of a century on death row at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, Ogbonna Igbojionu, now 48, has finally walked free and reunited with his mother in an emotional homecoming.

Igbojionu, a native of Abia State, was just 22 years old when he was arrested and convicted in 1999 for allegedly purchasing a stolen generator. Despite maintaining his innocence throughout his incarceration, he was sentenced to death and confined to the notorious Kirikiri prison, where he spent 26 years awaiting execution.

His release comes after a lengthy legal battle and advocacy from human rights organizations, who argued that his trial was marred by irregularities and that the punishment was grossly disproportionate to the alleged offense. Legal experts and activists have pointed to his case as a stark example of the flaws in Nigeria’s criminal justice system, particularly for those without access to adequate legal representation.

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Upon his release, Igbojionu was greeted by his mother and other family members, some of whom he had not seen since his imprisonment. The reunion was marked by tears, prayers, and gratitude for his newfound freedom.

Human rights groups have called for a review of similar cases, urging the government to address wrongful convictions and the conditions faced by inmates on death row. Many have also highlighted the urgent need for reforms to prevent such miscarriages of justice in the future.

Igbojionu’s story has reignited national conversations about prison reform, the death penalty, and the rights of the accused in Nigeria’s legal system.