A Nigerian man, Kolawole Oladeji, has been imprisoned since 1999 after being sentenced to death for allegedly being in possession of a stolen generator.

In an exclusive audio recording obtained by SaharaReporters, Kolawole revealed that his ordeal began on October 30, 1999, when a stolen generator was brought to his workshop for repairs. He claimed he was arrested shortly after and later charged with theft alongside three others—Sunday Oloyede, Ogbona Igbojionu, and Segun Ajibade.

In 2003, Kolawole was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. He said the court handed down the death penalty on January 14, 2003, despite his insistence on his innocence.

What makes Kolawole’s story even more tragic is the release of one of his co-defendants, Segun Ajibade, by former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun in 2016. Kolawole alleged that Segun, whom he described as the actual perpetrator, was freed due to his connections with wealthy individuals.

“I am Yoruba and have been imprisoned since 1999 for a crime I did not commit,” Kolawole lamented. “I fix generators for a living, and someone brought a stolen generator to my workshop. That person has been released, but I’ve been left here to rot. My wife and mother have both passed away while I’ve been behind bars.”

Kolawole’s heartbreaking story underscores the plight of individuals stuck in the Nigerian justice system for crimes they claim they did not commit. His case raises questions about fairness, equity, and the influence of privilege in legal outcomes.

This tragic tale of a man longing for justice sheds light on the urgent need for judicial reforms in Nigeria to ensure that every citizen receives a fair trial.