Two Nigerian men, Mr.

The two men, one a former generator technician and the other a trader from Ilasa, Ogun State, are requesting a chance to file a fresh appeal after a controversial legal battle that has ruined their lives.

The ordeal began in October 1999, when Mr. Segun Ajibade sent his driver, Mr. Sunday Oloyede, to deliver a Lister generator to Oladeji’s workshop for repair. After completing the repair, Ajibade allegedly instructed Oladeji to sell the generator. In good faith, Oladeji facilitated the sale to Igbojonwu, who provided receipts confirming the transaction. However, shortly after, Oladeji, Igbojonwu, and Oloyede were arrested.

By 2003, after a lengthy trial, the men were convicted on robbery charges. They were sentenced to death, but their sentences were later commuted to life imprisonment. Oladeji and Igbojonwu now claim that their conviction was based on serious procedural errors, including inadequate investigations and weak evidence.

Despite appealing their conviction to the Court of Appeal, both men allege that they were deceived into withdrawing their appeal after being promised a pardon by the Ogun State governor. To date, that promise has not been fulfilled, and they remain behind bars.

Now, after spending a quarter of a century incarcerated, Oladeji and Igbojonwu are calling for the Lagos State government to review their case, seek justice, and grant them the opportunity to file a fresh appeal.

This case highlights the deep flaws in the Nigerian justice system and the urgent need for a fair and transparent review of their case.