Governor Alex Otti of Abia State on Saturday received two of three men recently released from Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison after spending 26 years on death row, following a protracted legal ordeal linked to a disputed generator sale in 1999.

The men, Ogbonnaya Igbojionu from Ibere in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, and Olawale Adediji, were part of a trio convicted in 2003 for theft-related charges. A third man, whose identity was not immediately disclosed, was reportedly unable to travel for the meeting at Government House, Umuahia.

The meeting was facilitated by Mr. Simon Oshi, an advocate from Enugu State, who traced the men’s case after learning about it through a social media post by online influencer Olumide Ogunsanwo, popularly known as “Sea King.”

“When the influencer shared their story, I was moved to investigate,” Oshi said. “I visited them at Kirikiri Prison with a legal team and confirmed their case. One of them, Mr. Igbojionu, mentioned he was from Abia. I told him I’d reach out to Governor Otti.”

Oshi said the men were sentenced in Ogun State and incarcerated in Lagos. Upon confirming their identity and the case history, Governor Otti contacted both Lagos and Ogun State authorities. He credited the eventual release to the cooperation of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun.

“When I reached out to Governor Abiodun, he acknowledged our letter and assured me he would act,” Otti said. “Just last week, he called while I was away to inform me the release had been effected.”

Governor Otti also expressed appreciation to Oshi and Ogunsanwo for drawing attention to the case. “If you hadn’t brought it to my attention, I wouldn’t have known,” he said. “A lot of people might say, ‘It’s not my concern,’ but your intervention made the difference.”

He emphasized the importance of justice, saying, “Without justice, wealth and development are meaningless. What counts is the kind of society we help build.”

To support the reintegration of the former inmates, Otti directed the Commissioners for Local Government and for Power and Public Utilities, Uzor Nwachukwu and Ikechukwu Monday, respectively, to work with relevant agencies to coordinate rehabilitation plans.

“This may not be part of your formal mandate, but I want you to take this up and see it through,” Otti instructed.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Igbojionu recounted the circumstances leading to his imprisonment. He said he had purchased a generator from one Segun Ajibade in 1999, only for the seller to later return with the police, claiming the item was stolen. He alleged he was assaulted during interrogation and made to sign a statement he wasn’t allowed to read. He was remanded in 1999 and later sentenced to death in 2003.

Expressing gratitude, Igbojionu said, “I thank Governor Otti for saving my life and giving me a second chance. After 26 years, I did not expect to see the outside world again.”

The case has drawn renewed attention to the challenges of prolonged pre-trial detentions and the conditions of inmates on death row in Nigeria’s correctional system.