Patrick Okoroafor (pictured above) was only 14 when he was arrested for armed robbery in 1995 in Imo state. Two years later, at 16, he was sentenced to death by a court in the state. A few years later, the death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.
Through it all Patrick maintained his innocence, telling anyone who cared to listen that he didn't commit the crime. Fortunately for him in 2008, Amnesty international heard about his case and embarked on a campaign to help him regain his freedom. They called his trial unfair and campaigned for his immediate and unconditional release.
After four years, the campaigned has finally paid off. Patrick was released unconditionally from prison on April 30th 2012, after spending the last 15 years of his life there. He's now 31.
Unfortunately Patrick is just one of many prisoners in Nigeria who did not get a fair trial or have been in prison for years awaiting trial. Y'all remember Blessing Effiom? I went to see her at Kirikiri prison a while back and what I saw and heard broke my heart. Some of us are trying to get her out. Will update you guys when we have good news! Sad!
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