by Willy Okonji –
Just eight days after receiving a pardon from Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Sunday Omisakin, a recently pardoned ex-convict, has been arrested and charged with burglary and theft in Osogbo.
Omisakin, who was among those granted clemency during Governor Adeleke’s “Prerogative of Mercy” list on December 26, 2024, is accused of breaking into the home of Shittu Damilare in the Al-Medinat area of Osogbo on January 3, 2025, and stealing a plasma TV valued at N600,000.
The case, heard at the Osun State Magistrate Court in Osogbo, was presided over by Magistrate Adekanmi Adeyeba.
The prosecutor, Inspector Kayode Adeoye, stated that the alleged crime contravened sections 411(1)(2), 363, and 390(9) of the Osun State Criminal Code. Despite pleading not guilty, Omisakin was denied bail and remanded in Ilesa Correctional Facility.
The incident has ignited debate about the effectiveness of pardon programs and the challenges of reintegrating ex-convicts into society.
A local resident, Tunde Adebayo, expressed disappointment over the situation. “The governor extended mercy to him, and this is how he repays it? It’s disheartening,” he said. However, legal expert Bimpe Olatunji called for a broader perspective.
“Recidivism is a systemic issue. We need to address the lack of support systems for reintegration to ensure pardoned individuals don’t feel compelled to return to crime,” she argued.
The case has been adjourned to February 2025 for further hearing. Meanwhile, calls are growing for the state government to reassess its approach to clemency and rehabilitation programs.
