Nigerians in Diaspora Commission NIDCOM has narrated how a Nigerian man, Emmanuel Ihejirika who had been sentenced to death for drug trafficking in Indonesia has been freed, after several years in prison.
NIDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa in a statement released on Friday, explained that this freedom was made possible after his case was taken up pro bono by a Nigerian lawyer based in Washington DC, Mr Emmanuel Isha Ogebe.
While at a meeting with Barrister Emmanuel Isha Ogebe in Washington DC, NIDCOM Boss commended the lawyer for his selflessness and kindness in taking up the case.
Recall several years back, a delegation from Nigeria, headed by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Ojo Madueke, which included Hon Dabiri Erewa, then a member of the House of Representatives, ex-Chairman NDLEA, Mr Ipinmosho, among others.
These people visited Indonesian prison to plead for clemency for 21 Nigerians on death row, convicted for drug trafficking while four of them have been executed along with an Indonesian and British citizen.
Explaining further, the Nigerian lawyer, Mr Emmanuel Isha Ogebe, who based in United States had later approached Dabiri-Erewa for her intervention and offered pro bono services for Ihejirika.
It was added that Ihejirika’s case appeared to be one of the mistaken identity, and offered to follow the case through, the Barrister succeded, as he took the case up to the Supreme Court, and Ihejirika was finally let off the hook in December. 
Dabiri-Erewa re-emphasised that penalty for drug trafficking in Indonesia is death adding that Nigerians should stay away from crime.
She therefore, commended Barrister Emmanuel Isha Ogebe for his selflessness and kindness for the pro bono services, also praised the efforts of the Nigerian Charge D’Affaires in Indonesia, Ms Patricia Alechenu for her unwavering support.
Barrister Emmnauel Isha Ogebe, in his remarks, thanked Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa for her prompt intervention in cases relating to Nigerians in Diaspora right from her days as a member of the House of Representatives.
The Barrister described her as “a morale booster“ for Nigerians in Diaspora and pledged to continue to work with the NIDCOM Boss and the Commission team.
