Kolawole Oladeji, a Nigerian man who was sentenced to death in 2003 over a stolen generator case, has finally regained his freedom after spending more than two decades behind bars.
Oladeji, who was arrested on October 30, 1999, claimed that he had only been repairing a generator that was brought to his workshop and had no involvement in its theft.
Despite maintaining his innocence, he was tried alongside three others and was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. According to Oladeji, the individual identified as the main culprit, Segun Ajibade, was eventually granted a state pardon and released in 2016 during the administration of former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun. However, Oladeji remained incarcerated.
In 2018, his appeal was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in Ibadan after his lawyer withdrew the case. In a desperate attempt to regain his freedom, Oladeji wrote a petition to the current Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, in 2020, pleading for mercy and a second chance to reunite with his family.
His eventual release was made possible through the efforts of popular TikToker and social justice advocate, Olumide Ogunsanwo, popularly known as Seaking, who brought national attention to the injustice surrounding Oladeji’s prolonged detention. Oladeji was released alongside another convict, Ogbona Igbojionu, who had also been imprisoned over the same case.
WATCH VIDEO:
“With the help of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, and my Honourable, the inmate who was accused of stealing a generator in 1999 has finally regained his freedom today after spending 25 years in prison as an awaiting trial inmate.”🥹🥺
-SeaKing reveals. https://t.co/a1Wy5OLMd8 pic.twitter.com/Gc33Jn8hzc
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) July 1, 2025