NIDCOM clears air on Nigerian placed on death row in S’Arabia

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has cleared the air over the case of Suleimon Olufemi, a Nigerian who has been on death row in Saudi Arabia for more than 20 years.

This is in view of an open letter published in Nigerian newspapers by the Amnesty International which was addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene.

The Commission in a statement stated that, though on the surface, Amnesty International purports to be fighting for his release, adding that the organization deliberately left out some facts.

While giving the facts, the Commission narrated that Suleimon Olufemi left Nigeria for lesser Hajj (Umra) in Saudi Arabia and decided to check on a friend in Jeddah where there was an incident.

It added that the incident involved a police officer murdered and olufemi was arrested amongst those in the vicinity for the killing but unfortunately for him, while some got prison sentences, Olufemi got a death sentence.

According to the Commission, “With the legal age of the child of the policeman that was killed now over 18 years, the family could decide to pardon him or hold on to the death sentence.
“After a series of diplomatic interventions, and several meetings with the family which included NiDCOM’s former Legal Director, (Barr. Abdullahi Bello), they insisted Suleimon Olufemi. must pay blood money (Diyya) to the tune of $570, OOO dollars.

“This was about three and a half years ago and Amnesty International was no where to be found then, when we approached them to collaborate to raise the funds required since they had also shown interest in the case”, the Commission explained.

While NIDCOM, in conjunction with the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, championed by the Yaro brothers raised the $570, OOO dollars which has been paid into an account opened specifically for this purpose.
“With financial support from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and Seyi Tinubu, who contributed about $150,000 dollars while the rest was raised through go fund me initiated by the Yaro brothers. (This was under President Mohammadu Buhari’s tenure).

“Now, the money has been paid. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria Embassy in Saudi Arabia have been engaging the Saudi Authorities on when Suleimon Olufemi will be released.

“With the funds raised and diplomatic moves being made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs who has also briefed Mr President, we are optimistic that the Saudi Authorities will pardon Suleimon Olufemi who has been in jail for well over 20 years now for an offence that really cannot be proven that he committed. He apparently was in a wrong place at a wrong time.
The Commission appreciated the role of Amnesty International but encouraged the organization to be factual and not just be self seeking pathetic case.

The NIDCOM revealed further that its Chairman has been in touch with the Sulaimon Olufemi family wherein she received the aged parents on December 30, 2020 in the Commission office in Lagos.

Therefore, the Commission appealed to the Saudi Arabia Authorities to release Suleimon Olufemi from prison having paid the imposed blood money in the spirit of fairness, justice and cordial diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.