The family of Sunday Morakinyo, one of the Osun indigenes involved in the notorious ‘death-for-fowl’ case, is reaching out to the government and the public for help in addressing the mental health issues he is now facing.
According to the family, Morakinyo was in good physical and mental health before his arrest in November 2010 for allegedly stealing fowls and eggs in Oyan, Osun State. After his arrest, Morakinyo, alongside his co-accused Segun Olowookere, was charged with conspiracy, robbery, and theft.
Morakinyo and Olowookere were convicted and sentenced to death in December 2014 by the Osun State High Court. However, after a public outcry, Governor Ademola Adeleke pardoned both men last week.
Upon his release, Morakinyo returned home with a mental illness, which his family believes developed after he was tortured during his time in custody. His uncle, Ojo Olaide, spoke out, emphasizing that Morakinyo was mentally stable before his arrest and that the disorder only became apparent after his time in detention.
Olaide stated that the police fabricated confessions and falsely implicated Morakinyo and Olowookere in the crime. He also mentioned that during Morakinyo’s time at the Ilesa Correctional Centre, he noticed troubling changes in his behavior, including damaging his clothes and failing to recognize people.
The family is thankful for the pardon but is now calling on the government to provide further assistance to help Morakinyo with his rehabilitation. They plan to take him to the hospital for treatment soon.
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