By Hezekiah Olujobi (CJMR)

Last week I wrote on “How we rescued man who spent 24 years in Prison for following friend to Police Station”, which was published here on The Boss Newspaper.  The story break the internet; Vanguard, Punch and other media houses published the story of Lukman Adeyemi, the man who became a victim of circumstance. Since two of them have been released and admitted in the Halfway Home at the Centre for Justice Mercy and Reconciliation (CJMR) it has been a revealing moment. I think, if you have read the story of Lukman Adeyemi, it is necessary for me to let you hear the other side of the story of his friend Ismaila Lasisi. What are the challenges lies ahead of them?

The two have different story to tell.
In the gripping tale of “My Innocence: Why I Was Implicated in a Murder Case That Took 24 Years Out of My Life,” Ismaila Lasisi recounts the harrowing events that forever altered the course of his existence. Growing up as the only son of his mother in a polygamous family, Ismaila faced a childhood devoid of maternal care and sibling companionship. Struggling to forge his own path, he found solace in trading and befriended Alfa Ganiyu Lawal and Ganiyu Semiyu in Ifo. Little did he know that this seemingly innocent camaraderie would lead him down a dark and treacherous path. When the specter of ritual money loomed over their friendship, Ismaila’s world turned upside down. Falsely accused of theft and ensnared in a web of deceit, he sought refuge with Lukman Adeyemi, only to be thrust into a nightmare of police brutality and unfounded accusations. As the wheels of injustice spun mercilessly, Ismaila found himself entangled in a murder case that robbed him of his nb freedom and innocence. Join Ismaila on his journey of resilience and redemption as he reclaims his lost years and shattered reputation through the Centre for Justice Mercy and Reconciliation.

Ismaila Lasisi’s story is one of resilience and perseverance in the face of unjust accusations and wrongful imprisonment. Born into a polygamous family with little support, Ismaila navigated a challenging upbringing to become a trader and bricklayer. However, his life took a devastating turn when he was falsely implicated in a murder case that resulted in 24 years of his life being taken away. Despite enduring torture and suffering, Ismaila maintained his innocence and eventually found freedom with the help of our organization Centre for Justice Mercy and Reconciliation (CJMR).

After being wrongly accused of a crime he did not commit, Ismaila Lasisi faced rejection and disbelief from his own family upon his release. Despite his forgiveness towards those who wronged him, some family members struggled to accept his innocence, casting doubt on his story and causing him to feel unwelcome in his father’s house. This rejection led Ismaila to seek refuge with the Centre for Justice, Mercy, and Reconciliation, where he found support and understanding.

Through his unwavering faith and determination, Ismaila continues to navigate the challenges of rebuilding his life and finding acceptance after his traumatic experience.

The obstacles experienced by these two people are unique and may be a pointer to what other returnees may be facing after freedom.

Both of them are from polygamous families. Ismaila Lasisi, the only child of his mother amidst 11 children, could not find acceptance after freedom.

Lukman Adeyemi was the second son of his mother out of three born to his father in the polygamous family of 14 children. His mother was the first wife in the family, but she later married another man where she had only one son. Both husbands were late, but the junior brother of Lukman from another father took up the responsibility of caring for his mother. By the time Lukman decided to see his mother, the woman was already aged. The reality of the hardship his mother was going through overwhelmed him. As a result, he could not stay longer with his mother.

Both of them came back to seek refuge with the CJMR.

It was a heartfelt conversation at the Halfway Home with the Centre’s staff, particularly Haruna Dorcas. They shared experiences and had a profound encounter with Ismaila Lasisi, who revealed the main reason behind his implication in a murder charge that robbed him of 24 years of his life.

Join me on a journey with Ismaila Lasisi.

I am Ismaila Lasisi, a native of Abeokuta, Ogun State. My mother was from Shaki in Oke-Ogun, Oyo State. I am the only son of my motherther in a polygamous family of 12 children from four women. When I was seven, my mother left me for my father and later remarried, but she did not have any more children in that marriage until her passing.

Growing up in that family felt like being a lonely tree in the desert. In a polygamous household where each woman focused on her own children, I lacked the support of a mother or siblings for my education. Due to neglect from my father, I turned to trading, dealing in pepper and raw beans in Ifo. It was there that I befriended Alfa Ganiyu Lawal, and we became close friends. I often spent weekends with him and his friend Ganiyu Semiyu, who shared the same name but were not related.

Over time, I developed an interest in bricklaying and eventually moved in with them. Seeking companionship as a lonely individual, I found comfort in their company. My friendship with Alfa Ganiyu had lasted about six months before the unfortunate incident, and I lived with them for nearly four months. I valued hard work, and we would take on jobs together to earn money.

MY INITIATION

In February 2000, Semiyu Ganiyu introduced the idea of engaging in ritual money-making. He mentioned that they had found someone who could help them in this venture. Semiyu Ganiyu was the first to bring up the topic of ritual money to me. Internally, I felt uneasy, but I pretended that everything was fine. Subsequently, we took an oath to keep it a secret.

They asked me to contribute money for the ritual, and at that moment, I realized I was in the wrong company. I questioned them, “Who will be the sacrificial offering for the ritual?” Their response was, “Not determined yet.” Various thoughts troubled my mind, and I often pondered, “What if they decide to use me? Who will come looking for me? With no one to turn to—no siblings, parents, or mother—who knew my whereabouts, I felt lost.

SEPARATION

In March 2000, a situation arose where one of Ganiyu’s girlfriends stole money from their place, and I was wrongly accused of the theft, leading to a heated argument. Following this incident, I decided to seek refuge elsewhere. Along the way, I met Lukman Adeyemi and asked for his help in accommodating me until I could find my own place. I informed him about the conflict I had with the people I was living with but did not disclose their plan for ritual money. I had known Lukman Adeyemi through a childhood friend named Ismaila, with whom I had grown up in Shaki, my mother’s hometown. We reconnected in Ifo, and our friendship blossomed from there. Ismaila had introduced me to Lukman Adeyemi before returning to Shaki, which is how I connected with him. When the theft incident occurred, I confided in Lukman Adeyemi and expressed my desire to return to Ifo.

He welcomed me into his home, and since March 2000, I have been living peacefully with Lukman Adeyemi. We worked together as bricklayers until August 27, 2000.

MY ARREST

On August 27, 2000, at about 7:00 pm upon our return from work, we were informed by a co-tenant that the police were looking for me. I immediately went to the police station, and Lukman accompanied me without objection. Upon our arrival, we were informed that the police officer who had come looking for me was not around, and I was asked to return the following day. The next morning, we both went to the police station and were detained. I was clueless about the unfolding events and why they were looking for me. When the SARS officers, led by Bashiru and Agboola, arrived and identified me as the Ismaila Lasisi they were seeking, they descended on us like an hungry tiger, subjected us to severe beatings.

The following day, we were transferred to Eleweran Police Station in Abeokuta, where I was confronted by Alfa Ganiyu Lawal and Semiyu, who accused me of being involved in the murder they committed for the ritual. I was shocked and rendered speechless, unable to defend myself, and the SARS police subjected me to brutal treatment. I was hung in a torture room for hours, enduring unimaginable pain, all my nerves were like it want to cut. It was the worst day of my life; may I never see such a day again. It was a day of sweating mingled with blood.

The physical and emotional toll was evident in my appearance, as I was left deformed from the tortured. I lay on the ground for nearly five days before regaining consciousness. We were arrested on August 28, with Alfa Ganiyu and Semiyu being apprehended on July 20.

We were remanded in prison on Friday, September 29, 2000. It took nearly two years for me and Lukman Adeyemi to have a conversation with Alfa Ganiyu and Semiyu to understand why we were falsely implicated in the case, as we were not held in the same cell.

Why was I implicated?

One day, I asked them, “Why did you mention my name as part of the culprits who killed somebody I never knew in my life?” They said they felt I was the one who divulged the information to the police because I was the only one, they had told about the mission. They also said they believed I must have told Lukman Adeyemi about it.

I said to myself, “What a terrible assumption!” I told them, “But you didn’t have a victim at the time you proposed the idea to me. How would I know that you had committed the crime?”

I had heard the rumor about a missing woman, but I never knew the woman who was declared missing. It never occurred to me that you could be connected with the missing woman. I never knew the deceased woman in my life. I had left the company of Alfa Ganiyu since March, and the woman was declared missing in July. The arrest of Lukman Adeyemi and myself was on 28th August. I never knew anything about the woman, and it never occurred to me that her death could be linked to Alfa Ganiyu Lawal and Semiyu Ganiyu.

He became Alfa while in prison as he is the leading imam of the inmates at a time.
I forgave them completely; I used to guide Alfa GANIYU to the Mosque because of his blindness in prison and we became friend again.

Despite all the torture I received from the SARS Police, it is belated to say I forgive them, as one of them, Bashiru, had died. He was supposed to come as a witness in this case, and I was shocked when Adeagbo told the court of his death.

When I was in prison, I sent for my father to come and see me, but he refused to come. My mother came twice to see me before I later heard that she had passed away. I strongly believed she died because of my predicament. How would you feel if you had only one child, and that child was in prison? Can you survive the agony?

I felt so bad at times and asked myself why my father brought me into this world when he knew he had no resources to cater for me. While in prison, I forgave myself and my father, I forgave Alfa and Semiyu. At one point, I was sending money to my father from prison through the welfare officer, and he used to pray for me on phone, telling me that I would survive it. I cried and cried when I heard the bad news of my father’s death. My father had 12 children from four women.

CJMR INTERVENTION

It was a ray of hope shining on us the day the Deputy Superintendent of Correctional (DSC)Alhaji AbdulHakeem Awesu the welfare officer of Ibara Correctional linked us with Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi on phone to come and explain ourselves to him. Like play, the man came to see us in Abeokuta in July, we explained everything to him, the real perpetrators of the crime begged Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi they exonerated us and appeal to the body to help us in the presence of prison officers. We all put our appeal to the Governor into writing through the organization and we sent it to his office, Pastor demanded for our judgements and left that day. The truth is many people have come to listen to our story, we never see them again. We have written several letters to the Governor through the welfare without result but when Pastor and his team came to us, they promised to take a step, we have been hearing how CJMR has been helping many inmates on death row but we never give it a thought to approach them not until when the welfare helped linked us with them.

My Death Row Experience

On the first day I entered the death row cell, it was pitch black. I couldn’t see anyone for about an hour, but they could see me. One of the inmates stood up and guided me to my designated spot. It was a daily torment, but I tried to stay positive. At night, I was asked about the events that led to my conviction. After 9 years of awaiting trial, hope seemed lost. For a whole week, I couldn’t eat – not because I was fasting, but because hunger seemed to disappear. It took nearly six months before I could adjust to life on death row. Death row is like a different world, where you spend your days in darkness. In our cell, there were seven of us crammed into a very small space. One of the inmates who welcomed me was Sunday Adiye, also known as “Sunday Chicken,” who is currently serving a life sentence in Ibara. Over the years, some of the people I met were released, while others passed away due to illness.

During my 15 years on death row, there were no executions. We would hear rumors about the government considering revisiting executions, which would send panic through us. The tension peaked when Oshiomole executed some intates in Edo State, but the rumors eventually faded, and the tension dissipated. Despite the uncertainty, we all on death row remained cooperative with the prison authorities. Throughout my time in prison, I held onto hope until the day the prison doors finally opened for me. The daily advice and sermons from both Muslim and Christian leaders helped me stay strong. On the day we were released, rain fell on me for the first time, I saw the beautiful moon for the first time. It was a day I will never forget in my life

Home After Freedom

Upon regaining my freedom, my immediate desire was to return home. However, Pastor suggested that we first head to Ibadan. Reluctantly, I agreed to accompany them along with my friend, Lukman Adeyemi. I felt restless as I longed to celebrate the upcoming Ileya Festival back home. My younger brother, eager to see me, was disappointed when I informed him of the change in plans. After his plea to Pastor, I was promised release the following day to honor the festival. I traveled to Mowe to celebrate Ileya with my junior brother, who is an Imam. Following the festivities, we journeyed to my hometown in Abeokuta the next Monday.

My unexpected arrival at the family house elicited mixed reactions, with some displaying evident displeasure. As I recounted my story of innocence, one of my younger sisters accused me of lying, claiming she had heard about the incident at the time it occurred and knew the truth. It became clear that not everyone believed in my innocence. Realizing there was no future for me in my father’s house, I pondered where I would stay. Despite my junior brother’s hospitality in Mowe, his limited space due to multiple wives left me with no option but to return to the Centre for Justice, Mercy, and Reconciliation. I am grateful to Pastor Olujobi for foreseeing the potential challenges at home and offering me a welcoming return if needed.

My Next Plan

My aspiration is to resume my trade in buying and selling. I aim to settle down, rent a house, marry a virtuous woman, raise children, and contribute to societal development. With no parents, Pastor and the CJMR have become my pillars of support. During my time in prison, I acquired skills in cloth tie and dye and graduated from a Quranic school. I attribute my journey to the complete mercy I have received from God.

The societal transformation is evident as I struggle to recognize my father’s house, relying on the company of my junior brother for guidance. Everywhere has evolved, and I am amazed by the changes. Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi’s words resonate as he predicted, “The society you left 24 years ago is different from the one you return to now, and not everyone will believe your story of innocence.”

I find myself encountering modern conveniences like gas cookers for the first time, highlighting the extent of change. I commend Governor Dapo Abiodun for the remarkable transformation of the state, evident in the improved infrastructure such as expressways, street lights, and pedestrian bridges.

My Advice:

To the Federal Government of Nigeria: I urge the Federal Government to review cases on death row and assess the fairness of convictions by judges.

To all individuals: Do not bring a child into this world if you are not prepared to provide for and raise them properly.

To the Police: Remember that any unjust torture or wrongful imprisonment of individuals will be accounted for in the day of judgment.

To the Judges: I appeal to judges to thoroughly evaluate the evidence presented before making any decisions.

To young boys and girls: Be cautious of the company you keep and choose your friends wisely.

I express my gratitude to the supporters of the Centre for Justice, Mercy, and Reconciliation; may God continue to bless you all. I also extend my thanks to the Board of Committee for Prerogative of Mercy for listening to our appeals and considering our claims of innocence.

Our freedom differs from others granted by the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun. Some individuals, like myself, were able to present our cases and be heard, unlike others who may not have had the same opportunity. I will forever be thankful to Pastor Hezekiah Deboboye Olujobi and the CJMR team for their unwavering support and efforts. May the Lord bless their endeavors, insha Allah..

According to Pastor Hezekiah Deboboye Olujobi the executive Director for Centre for Justice Mercy and Reconciliation CJMR an NGO based in Ibadan who shed light to the innocence of Lukman Adeyemi and IsmailaLasisi

“Our attention was drawn to the complaints of these two people on their claim of innocence by the Welfare Officer DSC Awesu who invited us to come and help these people assuring us on their innocence and the effort made through the legal process without justice, we came down to Ibara Custodial Centre Abeokuta to hear from them. The two perpetrators confided on us that truly, they were the one who committed the crime that the two people were totally innocent of the crime, we adjusted our seats to hear them very well, it was a long drilling of questions on their parts but yet they insisted on their innocence. What they said carry no weight in my ears until I read through the judgement that convicted them. We obtained their judgements both the trial court to the Supreme Court for our review, we noticed, the presentation of the state before the appellate court could never allow the court to shift ground. Each of them filed separate appeal to the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court. We realized that none of the lawyers explore the way of arrest of each person in this case, this is what the lawyer at the trial court should have done but very unfortunate he couldn’t, failure of the perpetrators to clear them of the innocent of the crime could not have help them at that time. In the cause of probing the way of arrest of individual in the case unfolded the truth on this matter. In the record of proceedings, we stumbled on the evidence of the PW1 the police officer in charge of the case gave evidence before the Court that the first defender was referred to him from Ilaro police divisional office to Abeokuta with one Esther Shitu, then he jumped to how he arrested them and how the defender led him to Shaki in his father’s house and how the head of the deceased was recovered under his bed in his room at his father’s house. While reading through their separate judgement it was a contradiction, they said they took the head of the deceased to the house of the herbalist at Sepeteri. Then I asked the first defender who was the lady that was arrested along with you from Ilaro to Abeokuta? He told us that he could not instantly recognized the lady but later he admitted that was the lady he sent to go and call the deceased from the house of her husband in the morning, it was the lady lived around that area the husband who saw her when she came to call his wife led the police to arrest her, the lady was first arrested, it was her arrest that led to the arrest of the elder brother of Ganiyu, it was the arrest of the elder brother of Ganiyu that led to the arrest of Ganiyu and Semiyu.
Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi said “you cannot blame the judge; they judge based on the evidence before them. If I am the judge, I will do the same thing. Take a glance at the charges before the appellate court even to the Appex “It is the case of the prosecution that appellant together with two others conspired to murder and did murder one Maria Adeniyi on the 15th day of July, 2000.

Appellant made a confessional statement which was tendered and admitted at the trial though appellant denied making it. The deceased was invited by appellant to work for them in their block making site as a labourer on 15th July, 2000 but when the deceased failed to return home after close of work her husband, PW1 organised a search party, after reporting the matter to the police but the search yielded no positive result.

Was he the one that invited the deceased? No! When you read through the whole record of appeal, this is what you are going to read. This was how it was presented in the appeal of Lukman Adeyemi even to the Supreme Court. Was Lukman Adeyemi that invited the deceased? No! Was Ganiyu Lawal that invited the deceased? No! None of them invited the deceased. How did the deceased met her death? Ganiyu Lawal hung around and he saw a lady living in that area and he sent her to call the deceased. When the husband of the deceased could not see her wife returning home he arrested the lady who came to call her wife in the morning. Luckily foor the lady she knew the house of the elder brother of the first accused Alfa Ganiyu, when the police could not see Alfa Ganiyu elder brother at that moment, the police arrested his wife, when he returned home and he was told that his wife has been arrested he went to the police station and he promised to help the police tract his brother.

The elder brother had made announcement to all the block maker and bricklayer association to help look for his junior brother. Upon their return from Sepeteri (The Ganiyu and Semiyu) they were arrested. Getting to the police station they denied the allegation. The husband of the deceased ordered their release on the ground that his wife might probably followed another man. The Police released one of them to go and look for money to settle the case and release them. Semiyu was released to go and look for money, but instead of that, he was packing his load to run away, the landlord who was aware of their arrest raised an alarm and that was how Semiyu was arrested again.
While at the police station, they have no clue of what led to their arrest, that was how they decided to implicate Ismaila Lasisi and Lukman Adeyemi because Ismaila was the only one who knew about their plan, by the time they realized that they knew nothing about their arrest it was too late.
During the trial, five of them were represented by only one Government lawyer who never visit them in the prison to hear from them, as a result of this the duo could not get justice

At the appeal court, all the efforts and brilliant submission of the defense counsel to Ismaila Lasis by Adebayo Mutalubi Ojo SAN could not hold water. If some error could not be resoled at the trial court, it may be difficult to address at the higher court. It was clear from the record of the court that Ismaila Lasisi and Lukman Adeyemi maintained their innocence but Alas! They could not have a headway because of the high wall raised by the prosecution in each appeal that the individual was the one that went to invite the deceased to the block making site to fetch water for them. With this evidence before the court it is practically impossible for the court to shift ground.

The case of Ismaila Lasisi and Lukman Adeyemi was not the first victory, CJMR has helped over 20 people secured their freedom from wrongful conviction this case make number 22 and over 600 illegal detention in South West Nigeria Custodial Service have been helped gain their freedom and rehabilitated over 300 back to the society. According to Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi the Executive Director for Centre for Justice Mercy and Reconciliation, he attributed the causes for wrongful conviction in Nigeria to poor lawyering, misleading information from the Police and the effort of the prosecutor to secure conviction at all cost. Police evidence are considered sacred before the temple of justice but very unfortunate not all police evidence before the court are true and reliable, some of them tells lies and forget their heads at home when coming to court. Our judges are not perfect, they also have their flaws that is why there is room for appeal because of the likely error from the lower court, when the appellant is not satisfy at the Appellate court there is another door opened for him at the Apex, if after he has exhausted the legal arms of law and he cannot get justice the hope is lost and this is where our organization comes in to review the whole court evidence and headed to the Board of Mercy with our review for consideration of such appeal and the committee always reason along with us, so, justice lost is restored, that is the actual definition of Restorative Justice.
With the efforts of the Nigeria Correctional Service, the Attorney General of Ogun State, and the Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, Lukman Adeyemi’s innocence was finally recognized. The real perpetrators confessed, leading to his release. Ismaila Lasisi expresses gratitude to all who played a role in his eventual freedom, acknowledging the challenges faced and lives lost during his wrongful imprisonment.
Our major concern now is how to make the future of this individual possible and how to make justice available to others who are still crying persistently on the claim of innocent of the crime they are suffering for.
Your support can unlock more victory possible for others like Ismaila Lasisi and Lukman Adeyemi and restore hope and purpose to others.

For Donation:
Naira Account: 1012189729 Zenith Bank / 2013454021 First Bank. Dollar Account: 20134969882
Name: Centre for Justice Mercy and Reconciliation
www.cjmr.com.ng
08025782527
08030488093