Bricklayer wrongly imprisoned for 24 years recounts his ordeal
“Innocent bricklayer freed after 24 years in jail shares his ordeal.”
“Lukman Adeyemi, now 50, was just 26 years old when he accompanied his friend, Ismaila Lasisi, to the police station at the invitation of officers.”
“His act of loyalty led to his arrest, and he spent 24 years in prison before being released on June 14, 2024.”
“Adeyemi endured nine years in pre-trial detention and another agonizing 15 years on death row.”
“Recalling his wrongful detention, he recounted, ‘I am Lukman Adeyemi, from Iwerele, Iwajowa Local Government, Oyo State, a bricklayer by profession. I was 26 years old when this ordeal began.'”
“In August 2000, after returning home with Ismaila Lasisi, a friend living with him, they were both summoned to the police station where I was unjustly detained. I suffered severe physical and psychological torture during interrogations by SARS Police officers, leading to coerced confessions for crimes I knew nothing about.'”
“Speaking to Vanguard, he described the situation, ‘Ismaila Lasisi, who once lived with me, had a falling out with some individuals in March. These individuals hired a woman to fetch water at a construction site, but she never returned. I had no connection to these individuals, and our paths had never crossed.'”
“In 2009, both Adeyemi and Lasisi were sentenced to death. Despite filing separate appeals, their innocence pleas were dismissed by the Supreme Court.”
“Adeyemi lamented, ‘My cries of innocence fell on deaf ears, with many questioning my involvement despite the lack of evidence.'”
“He continued, ‘I spent 24 years behind bars, feeling abandoned by justice itself.'”
“In June 2023, Deputy Superintendent of Correctional Services, AbdulKareem Awesu, introduced Adeyemi’s case to a pastor, sparking hope.”
“‘On July 17, 2023, the Centre for Justice Mercy and Reconciliation (CJMR), led by Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi, visited us at Ibara Correctional Service, where they listened to our stories and uncovered the truth.'”
“‘June 14, 2024, will forever be etched in my memory as a day of liberation,’ Adeyemi shared. ‘Light shone upon me, and I felt rain on my head for the first time in two decades.'”
“‘I never imagined being punished for another’s wrongdoing. How could I commit a crime and willingly report myself to the police?'”
“Grateful for CJMR’s intervention, Adeyemi expressed, ‘Their belief in my innocence reignited hope for justice and redemption.'”
“Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi of CJMR affirmed, ‘We became aware of their innocence through DCP Awesu’s invitation, leading us to uncover their unjust conviction.'”
“He added, ‘Upon hearing their confession and reviewing their case records, we recognized the inconsistency in their convictions.'”
“Describing the process, Pastor Olujobi said, ‘We presented our findings to the Attorney-General of Ogun State and the Committee for the Board of Prerogative of Mercy.'”
“‘Their release was based on documented evidence supporting their innocence,’ he emphasized.”
“Lukman Adeyemi and Ismaila Lasisi are currently undergoing recovery and reintegration at the CJMR Halfway Home.”
