Patrick Orokafor

When Patrick was 14-years-old he was arrested for armed robbery, a crime he says he did not commit. Two years later he was sentenced to death by a military tribunal which we considered to be grossly unfair.

In 2001 the Nigerian High Court decided his death sentence was unlawful and changed his sentence to indefinite detention.

In 2008 we stated campaigning for Patrick’s immediate release and in 2009 his sentence was reduced from indefinite detention to 10 years. In 2010 it was reduced again to two years.

Finally after 17 years behind bars, on 30 April 2012 Patrick walked free. During his years behind bars Patrick received more than 10,000 cards and letters from Amnesty supporters in the UK and across the world.

'After Amnesty began its call for my release from prison, and after reading some of the thousands of letters, cards and messages sent to me by Amnesty supporters, I began to hope that I would soon be free.'
Patrick Okoroafor, May 2012

Patrick is now building a new life for himself with his brother in Germany.

There are many people who played a part in helping to get Patrick out. But his case shows the incredible impact a simple message of support can have and the hope it can offer.