By By Muminat Ajide
In a system they didn’t understand, lives were lost and futures destroyed by wrongful convictions.
Among them was Adekunle Adedeji, a trader in the bustling markets of Bodija, Ibadan. whose life took a tragic turn when he got entangled in a scheme involving illegally sourced goods.
Adekunle Adedeji was a trader In the bustling markets of Bodija, Ibadan. Adekunle found himself entangled in a scheme involving illegally sourced goods, and this is where it all started.
He was arrested alongside 4 other people 3 of them died while awaiting trial. On May 13, 1999, he was sentenced to death and at that moment Adekunle’s life was altered in an instant.
Tragically, during his ordeal, he suffered the loss of his mother, a child, and his wife, leaving scars that would never fully heal.
But amidst the period of serving his terms, Adekunle found solace in the company of fellow inmates – each with their own stories. Among them was Baba Sholagbon, the former driver of notorious armed robber Shina Rambo, Another was Bishop Kayode Williams, who later converted to a born-again Christian after a decade behind bars.
A turning point came in year 2011 when Isiaka Abiola Adeyemi Ajimobi became the governor of Oyo State. His administration brought renewed hope for Adekunle and Dele Akinyele, who had endured years of wrongful imprisonment.
The reversal of Adekunle’s death sentence was a moment of triumph, he stated “It was as if I was reborn into the world “.
Dele Akinyele who became friends with Adekunle in the prison, also shared his harrowing ordeal of years spent in a condemned cell, a very small room where there is no ventilation.
This is the room where all of their daily activities would take place, as the room serves as a toilet, as well as an eating area. The room was surrounded by the innocent and guilty alike, as they were only entitled to spend just 10 minutes outside of the room in a day.
Adekunle and Kunle were released from prison in 2022, and since then, they have been striving to make ends meet. Adekunle shared that he now works as a labourer, earning 3000 naira a day to support himself.
As they recounted their experiences on Yoruba Gidi TV, Adekunle and Dele expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share their story with the world. Their voices serve as a reminder of the countless others who are also behind bars, their innocence denied and their cries for justice unanswered.
