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Wrongful Conviction: Nigeria in Focus

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1 year ago

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By Hezekiah Olujobi

Wrongful convictions are a grave injustice that can have devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities. In Nigeria, as in many other countries, cases of wrongful conviction have come to light, highlighting systemic issues within the criminal justice system. The wrongful imprisonment of innocent individuals not only deprives them of their freedom but also erodes public trust in the legal system.

In recent years, the Centre for Justice, Mercy, and Reconciliation (CJMR) has been at the forefront of advocating for individuals who have been wrongfully convicted in Nigeria.
On June 14th, 2024, the Centre for Justice, Mercy, and Reconciliation (CJMR) successfully secured the release of two individuals, Lukman Adeyemi and Ishmaila Lasisi, who had been wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for 24 years. Since then, we have been receiving calls from inmates on Death Row at Ibara Abeokuta, Kirikiri Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Apapa Lagos, and even from Dooly Prison in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America. These inmates claim that they have been sentenced to death for crimes they did not commit.

At Kirikiri Maximum Security Centre, three convicts from Osun State have sent messages to our office claiming innocence of the convictions they are awaiting execution for. Unfortunately, one of them is mentally derailed. The individual maintains that he never committed any crime with the person he was convicted with. A police officer from Osun State, who was accused by a fellow police officer of armed robbery in 2001 and sentenced to death over the allegation, has appealed for our intervention regarding the conviction. The man, Victor Akpoyibo, has sworn that he never committed such an offense in his life. The family of Robert Israel, who was sentenced to life imprisonment on June 13, 2024, by the Lagos State High Court for the alleged rape of a minor, has reached out to the Centre for Justice for help in rescuing their father and husband. The family expressed their dissatisfaction with the judgment, citing a lack of valid evidence.

Contact was made with the man in Kirikiri, and he also adamantly declared his innocence of the offense.

At Ibara Custodial Centre, we received phone calls from three individuals: Monsuru Mukaila, Abdulai Ogundijo (a driver), and a motor boy who were sentenced to death over allegations of armed robbery. The driver and his motor boy claimed that they were hired to transport iron rods from Mowe to Lagos, unaware that the iron rods were stolen. The individual who hired them was later released by the police, but due to inability to meet the demand for police bail, they were charged with armed robbery and sentenced to death.

Monsuru Nurudeen, an Okada rider, claimed he was falsely accused of being an armed robber because he rode an Okada without a number plate and got into an argument with others, leading to false testimony against him in court.

From Dooly Prison in Atlanta, Georgia, a Nigerian man, Olaniyi Adedoja, serving three life sentences plus 76 years for rape, has reached out to CJMR claiming innocence of the crime. A father of two children who married a Japanese woman, he maintains his innocence and seeks our intervention.

At the Centre for Justice, Mercy & Reconciliation, we are dedicated to seeking justice for individuals in these challenging circumstances. Upon hearing their stories, we carefully review the judgments from trial or appeal courts and connect these individuals with pro bono lawyers who can assist them. We cover the costs associated with transmitting court records for appeals and submit applications for review to the Board of Mercy if appeals are unsuccessful. If our arguments are compelling, the Board may consider granting freedom to these individuals.

Our mission is to ensure that those wrongfully convicted or detained receive the justice they deserve. We are committed to advocating for these individuals and working towards their release. While reviewing individual case files and proceedings, it became evident that these individuals are victims of circumstances.

Thorough investigations are necessary to validate the claims made by the inmates and determine the credibility of their assertions.

HOW WE ASSESS THE CREDIBILITY OF CLAIMS MADE BY THE INMATES?

To evaluate the credibility of claims made by individuals seeking intervention, the Centre for Justice Mercy and Reconciliation (CJMR) employs a thorough and systematic approach. Here are some common steps that CJMR usually takes to assess the credibility of claims:

CJMR conducts further investigations to gather more evidence, interview witnesses, or explore new leads that could shed light on the case.

We conduct an initial screening of the claims to gather basic information and determine the nature of the case.

We obtain certified true copies (CTC) of court documents for review, trial transcripts, and any available evidence related to the case to understand the legal proceedings and basis of the conviction.

We conduct interviews with the individuals seeking intervention, witnesses, and relevant parties to gather additional information and perspectives on the case.

We engage experts to analyze the legal aspects of each case, including potential errors in the legal process, inconsistencies in evidence, or violations of rights.

We verify the information provided by the individuals seeking intervention through independent fact-checking and corroborating evidence.

We examine any previous appeals, motions, or legal actions taken in the case to understand the history and challenges faced by the individuals.

We work closely with pro bono lawyers who can provide legal expertise and assist in evaluating the credibility of claims.

By following these steps and conducting a comprehensive assessment of each case, CJMR can make informed decisions regarding the credibility of claims and determine the appropriate course of action to advocate for justice on behalf of the individuals seeking intervention.

Below is a table listing our candidates.
DEATH ROW:

17 people on death row and life sentences are on the list of intervention.
S/N NAME Status State Convict D of Arrest Convicted Year spent
1 Adeyemi Faleye IDR Ogun State 28/2/2011 17/2/2018 13 Years
2 Monsuru Mukaila & IDR Ogun State 24/1/2017 20/5/2020 7 Years
3 Abdulai IDR Ogun State 24/1/2017 20/5/2020 7 Years
4 Monsuru Nurudeen IDR Ogun State 14/3/2016 27/6/2020 8 Years
5 Victor Akpoyibo IDR Osun State 25/11/ 2001 22/7/2010. 23 Years
6 Segun Olowookere& IDR Osun State 20/11/2010 3/12/2014 14 Years
7 Sunday Morakinyo IDR Osun State 20/11/2010 3/12/2014 14 Years
8 Sunday Bewaji IDR Osun State 22/9/2010 27/9/2015 14 Years
9 Friday Okoro IDR Oyo State 23/4/2009 15/5/2014 15 Years
10 Tunde Adewale IDR Oyo State 20/10/2010 7/10/2015 14 Years
11 Kolawole Makinde & IDR Ekiti State 6/10/2021 27/7/2022 3 Years
12 Haruna Bikau IDR Ekiti State 6/10/2021 27/7/2022 3 Years
13 Ebenezer Jacob & IDR Oyo State 15/5/2012 16/5/2024 12 Years
14 Anyim Chinweta and IDR Oyo State 16/5/2012 16/5/2024 12 Years
15 Demion Irekha IDR Oyo State 17/7/2012 16/5/2024 12 Years
16 Robert Israel Lifer Lagos State 29/9/2021 13/6/2024 3 Years
17 Adedoja Olaniyi BAH 3 Lifers Dooly State Prison, Geogia, USA 27/7/2017 9/12/2019 7 Years

We look forward to hearing from you to collaborate with us and join our team of volunteers.

Visit our website at https://www.cjmr.com.ng

You can click the donate button to offer your support.

Pastor Hezekiah Deboboye Olujobi is the Managing Director of Centre for Justice,  Mercy and Reconciliation (CJMR).

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Remembering Biafran Warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu (1933 – 2011)

Published

22 hours ago

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November 8, 2025

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By Eric Elezuo
He came as a unifying force, defying all known luxury to settle for career he was in love it – military. His name was Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu; a Nigerian soldier turned Biafran Warlord as a result of exigencies that ‘cannot be ignored’.If Ojukwu had lived till date, he would have been celebrating 92 years on November 4, the day he was born. But Ojukwu died on November 26, 2011 after a brief illness in London. He legacy has remained evergreen, especially among the Igbo speaking tribe of Nigeria, residing in the south-east region of the country; a people, he gave his utmost best to liberate from the shackles of mass murder, supervising a bloody war with little or no arms and ammunition for 30 months.

Ojukwu is the toast of the average Igboman, his shortcomings notwithstanding.

Born with the shinniest of silver spoons in the Zungeru area of colonial Nigeria, on November 4, 1933, to one of the wealthiest individuals of his time, Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, the young had the best of everything life could offer, growing up. He was educated at obe of the most prestigious institutions in the country then, King’s College, Lagos, and later at Epsom College in Surrey, England.

He proceeded afterwards to Lincoln College, Oxford University where he obtained a master’s degree in Modern History in 1955. He returned to Nigeria to serve as an administrative officer and suddenly, contrary to expectation, he joined the Nigerian army, and grew by the ranks. He was the first of a kind, joining the military with a retinue of academic successes and certificates.

It would be noted that Ojukwu joined the army in protest. He was protesting the termination of his appointment in civil service when he was posted to Calabar, by the Sir John Macpherson at the instant of his father.

A breakdown of Ojukwu’s sojourn in the field of academics has it that at the outbreak of World War II when he was seven, his father sent him to St. Patrick’s School and CMS Grammar School both in Lagos. In 1944 at the age of 10, Ojukwu started studying at King’s College, Lagos. In 1945 when Ojukwu has stayed for two years in Kings College, his father, who want him to be educated in England, made consultations from his English friend. Epsom College in Surrey was recommended and by 1946, he was sent there for an advanced education.

Ojukwu stayed at Epsom for six years. During that time, he excelled in academics as well as in sports and athletics. He played rugby for the college winning the spring javelin throwing and discus. At 18 he entered Lincoln College, Oxford and studied briefly in 1952. Loius wanted his son to be a lawyer as it was the most common in Nigeria but Ojukwu wants to read modern history. Between 1952 and 1955 he studied law and later switched to history. He also joined the West African Students’ Union in Oxford. During his final years, he joined Oxford Rugby Union as wing three quarter in Lincoln College’s team. Ojukwu graduated with a B.A in arts in 1955 and travelled back to Lagos. He would later return to Oxford to obtain his M.A.

His destiny was beginning to get shaped when six years after Nigeria’s independence in 1960, a group of military officers overthrew the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa-led civilian government. The failure of the coup brought General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi to power, and he appointed Ojukwu as the Military Governor of the Igbo-dominated Eastern Region.

Following a pogrom against the Igbo in several parts of Nigeria, especially in the north after the coup that claimed Aguiyi-Ironsi’s life, Ojukwu, as the governor of Eastern Region, engaged the government in several diplomatic discussions on the road to peace. An accord was reached during some of the parley, one of which is the popular Aburi Accord.The failure of the Accord and continuous pogrom led Ojukwu into seceding from  Nigeria, declaring the Republic of Biafra, and becoming its first Head of State. The action led to a civil war, which has been argued in many quarters as a genocide against the Igbos of the then-Eastern region.

Ojukwu did not have what it takes to fight the war as regards weapons. He only had the determination and willpower of his people. But that did not take them far as the Nigerian military, with support from the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union, came out victorious, using the weapon of hunger and alleged genocide.

Ojukwu’s effort to use the foreign media to highlight the plight of Biafran civilians and depict the war as genocide against Igbos went unheard, receiving recognition only from France, Haiti and Cote d’ Ivoire among one other two others. He lost the war after superlatively standing off the Nigerian military with its massive oversea’s support, and with it, the young Biafran nation and about three million Biafrans.

Ojukwu subsequently fled to Ivory Coast in exile, where President Félix Houphouët-Boigny granted him political asylum. He returned to Nigeria 1981,when President Shehu Shagari granted him total amnesty.

Though he tried unsuccessfully to grab political power, he made his mark for himself and his people. He began by fighting to reclaim all his property across the country, and married the 21-year-old Bianca Onoh, daughter of a one time governor of Anambra State, C. C. Onoh.

He died in 2011 at the age of 78 in London, England. His body was returned to Nigeria, where Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan gave him a state funeral, a funeral suitable for a general, which he was. He was buried with full military honours, including a 21-gun salute from the Nigerian Army, and thousands of people attended his funeral.

To some, Ojukwu is a contentious figure in the history of Nigeria, but to many, especially the Igbo, he is a hero and wears a messianic cloak. They believe that though the war was lost, a statement was made in the loudest of voices.

Today, however, the voice of Biafra has re-echoed, first from MASSOB, and presently from Nnamdi Kanu’s Indigenous People of Biafra (IBOP).

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HURIWA Demands Probe As Nine Soldiers Accused of Links to Boko Haram Allegedly Escape from Custody

Published

4 days ago

on

November 5, 2025

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A major security breach has hit the Nigerian military after nine soldiers reportedly escaped from a guardroom at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri — headquarters of the Army’s 7 Division.

Military sources said the incident occurred around 2:15am on Monday.

Most of the escapees were said to have been detained for alleged links with Boko Haram and involvement in arms trafficking in the North-East.

“There was a jailbreak on Monday around 0215 hours at Maimalari Cantonment. Nine personnel detained mostly for dealing in arms running with terrorists escaped,” a source, according to some media reports, confirmed.

One of the fugitives has since been recaptured, while a manhunt is underway for the remaining eight.

The military has reportedly launched an internal probe to uncover how the soldiers succeeded in breaking free from the high-security facility.

Meanwhile, a pro-democracy and civil rights advocacy group – Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) of Nigeria has condemned the criminal activity of letting out such high value suspects at a time that the nation is gripped by the threats of the United States of America government’s threats to unleash military airstrikes targeting Islamic Terrorists like Boko Haram terrorists and ISWAP.

HURIWA believes that if the report is factually accurate, then there is more to it than meets the eyes. It means that there is a high network of conspiratorial plots from the topmost echelons of the command structures and these collaborators and saboteurs of the war on terror must be identified, arrested, prosecuted for treason and jailed for life.

HURIWA tasked the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu to take the matter as a high priority case and to go after the escapees just as the commander charged with securing their detention should be immediately suspended and all those who participated in aiding and abetting their disappearances must be arrested and prosecuted for sabotaging the counter terrorism war in Nigeria.

“If this is true, it means that the claims made by the Borno state governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, of the existence of saboteurs of the war on terror within the Nigeria Army is much deeper than we are all contemplating.”

The Rights group stated that although the Nigerian Army is yet to react to the development at the time the media filed this report, the escapees were alleged to be involved in arms trafficking to terrorist groups operating in Nigeria’s North-East just as it was gathered that reports of the jailbreak have led to serious concerns within Nigeria’s security sector.

HURIWA expressed disappointment that saboteurs embedded within the nation’s military circles orchestrated the ugly development just few days after President Bola Tinubu appointed new service chiefs as a way to pass a message that they are invincible but the civil rights advocacy group stated that allowing these important and strategic suspects who sabotaged the war on terror to escape without being caught on time, it therefore means that there is the urgency of the moment to review the entire spectrum of military operations against Boko Haram terrorists given that their informants and suppliers of weapons have successfully penetrated the military institution, which is a very big shame.

“When we call for heads to roll, we truly mean that many bad eggs must be immediately weeded out of the Army given that they are actually undermining the National security of the corporate entity of Nigeria. It is time for a transparent overhauling of the security operations against terrorists in the country.”

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Should I Have Traveled with My Enemies’ Children, Wike Defends Traveling with Sons to Official Assignment

Published

5 days ago

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November 4, 2025

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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reacted to viral photos showing his sons accompanying him on local and foreign trips, saying he has the right to carry them along.

He argued that his sons, as master’s degree holders, need the exposure.

“What law says that my sons shouldn’t travel? Let the FCT say where they paid ₦1.

“What official matter? Did they sign any document? It doesn’t need to be a personal trip.

“What’s wrong? So, I can travel with anybody from the FCT. I can travel with anybody in Nigeria. I have that right.

“Oh, come on, they have to know how Nigeria is. They have to learn about government,” Wike said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday.

Asked whether he was teaching them to become politicians, he said, “No, that’s not correct. My first son is a lawyer. He said, ‘No, I’m not going to practice. I want to be a farmer.’

“I said, ‘What do you mean by this? He said, ‘No, this is what I want to do.’ I said, ‘Okay’. What do you do?

“They’ve gone for training in Spain. They’ve gone for training in Lisbon.

“My second son finished from King’s College — a master’s degree in Economics. He said he wants to be in real estate.”

The former Rivers State governor also said he is happy that his sons behave responsibly and give him comfort.

“I’m so happy that I have children who have given me comfort, who have not given me problems.

“Assuming they were somewhere smoking. You would have said, ‘Oh, look at these children now. Who are they? I will not travel with my enemy’s children,” he added.

Wike has been spotted with his sons at official events, including the commissioning of projects in the FCT.

Last week, he was criticised by some Nigerians for taking them to a summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

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