- Lukman Adeyemi is another alleged victim of injustice
- He was reportedly imprisoned for 24 years
- Netizens express outrage over what they deemed to be wrongful imprisonment
Lukman Adeyemi, simply accompanying a friend to the police station, became an innocent victim of injustice. This decision led to his wrongful arrest and was unjustly imprisoned for 24 years.
His journey towards freedom took a hopeful turn when he crossed paths with the Centre for Justice, Mercy, and Reconciliation (CJMR) team, under the leadership of Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi, who offered their support and advocacy.
According to Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi, Executive Director of the Ibadan NGO Centre for Justice, Mercy, and Reconciliation (CJMR), investigating the details of the arrest exposed the truth. The real offenders confessed, leading to the release of the innocent individuals.
Lukman Adeyemi’s innocence was finally acknowledged and he was released alongside Ismaila Lasisi as a result of the combined efforts of the Nigeria Correctional Service, the Committee for Board of Mercy in Ogun, and Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi identifies inaccurate information from the police, poor lawyering, and the prosecutors’ relentless pursuit of convictions as major contributors to wrongful convictions in Nigeria.
Lukman Adeyemi’s story
“I am Lukman Adeyemi, a native of Iwerele, Iwajowa Local Government, Oyo State. I am a Bricklayer by profession. I was 26 years old when I had this problem. In August 2000, after returning home from work with a friend living with me, Ismaila Lasisi, we were told that the Police came to look for Ismaila and he was asked to report himself to the station,” Lukman said.
“I immediately decided to follow him to the station, lo and behold I was arrested and detained along with him. I was tortured to the point of death over a crime I knew nothing about, right from the police station. I had a close shave with the death over a murder of a woman who was hired by some ex-friends of Ismaila Lasisi to fetch water for them at the construction site. The woman left home in the morning and she never returned home,” He further narates.
“Ismaila Lasisi once lived with them. He begged to come and live with me after he had a misunderstanding with these people in March. I knew these people from a far distance. Our paths never crossed in life for anything. This was how I was charged to court along with these people over an offence I never had any knowledge of. In 2009 we were sentenced to death. We filed separate appeals but the appeal failed to the Supreme Court,”
“My story of innocence to whoever cared to listen fell on deaf ears, with many question,”
“In June 2023, one of the officers of the Correctional Service, Deputy Superintendent of Correctional (DSC) AbdulKareem Awesu introduced my case to a Pastor and I spoke with him on phone,”
“On 17th July 2023, a group Centre for Justice Mercy and Reconciliation, CJMR, led by Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi visited us at the Ibara Correctional Service where they listened to all of us including the culprits who exonerated us. The organization went with all our judgement and shed light on our innocence. June 14, 2024 shall remain evergreen and memorable day in my life. Light shone upon me, rain fell on my head for the first time and I saw the moon for the first time,”
“I never knew I could pay for the sin of another man. How could I have committed an offense and still boldly walk into a police station to report myself?”
“I am grateful that the organization Centre for Justice Mercy and Reconciliation intervened on my behalf, a beacon of hope in a sea of despair. Her belief in my innocence reignited the flame of justice within me, propelling me toward the possibility of redemption,” Lukman added.
Lukman Adeyemi's ordeal has caused a stir on social media, with netizens criticizing the flaws and wrongful convictions in the country’s legal system.
Netizens express outrage over Lukman’s unjust imprisonment
“In a working country...this man would sue for billions and be paid,” Tormentor of Ndi mgbu tweeted.
“Someone should contact him, let’s get our best lawyers from twitter to help him get compensation pls It’s about feeling pity online, it doesn’t change anything. We need to set examples, fight these very corrupt police system. If not, another will happen & we will only feel pity,” Nuel said on X.
“Someone should pick up this and help him get the compensation and justice ⚖ he deserves if this is true,” Gentlegent Connect tweeted.
“Just like that... No compensation. This is ill and very sad 😢😭,” True Talk added on X.
“Freed with no compensation? What a country. 24 years? Goodness!” Ann exclaimed.
“The story of a lot of people at Ikoyi,” Kwabena said.
“So all the while they knew he was innocent, buh they preferred Nigeria to happen to him, gosh. May Nigeria neva happen to us, Aameen Jesu 🙏🙏,” Ekeremor Pikin of Yento added.