Nigerian On Death Roll In Indonesia For Drug Trafficking Regains Freedom
By Bukar BOLORI
A Nigerian sentenced to death for drug trafficking in Indonesia has been freed after several years in prison on waiting list for his execution.
A statement on Friday by the Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NIDCOM) made the disclosure.
According to the statement, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NIDCOM) said the Nigerian, Emmanuel Ihejirika who had been sentenced to death for drug trafficking in Indonesia has been freed, after several years in prison.
This was after his case was taken up pro bono by a Nigerian lawyer based in Washington DC , Mr Emmanuel Isha Ogebe.
The statement read: “At a meeting with Barrister Emmanuel Isha Ogebe in Washington DC, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa commended Mr Ogebe for his selflessness and kindness in taking up the case.
“Several years back, a delegation from Nigeria, headed by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Ojo Madueke , which included Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa, then a member of the House of Representatives, former Chairman NDLEA, Mr Ipinmosho, among others, had visited Indonesian prison to plead for clemency for 21 Nigerians on death row convicted for drug trafficking. Four of them have been executed along with an Indonesian and British citizen.
“A Nigerian lawyer Mr Emmanuel Isha Ogebe, based in the USA, had later approached Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa for her intervention and offered pro bono services for Ihejirika, whose case appeared to be one of mistaken identity, and offered to follow the case through. He succeded , as he took the case up to the Supreme Court, and Ihejirika was finally let off the hook in December”.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa re-emphasised that penalty for drug trafficking in Indonesia is death, adding that Nigerians should stay away from crime.
Dabiri-Erewa commended Barrister Emmanuel Isha Ogebe for his selflessness and kindness for the pro bono services.
The NIDCOM Boss also praised the efforts of the Nigerian Charge D’Affaires in Indonesia, Ms Patricia Alechenu for her unwavering support.‘
Ogebe, in his remarks, thanked 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.
He described her as “ a morale booster “ for Nigerians in Diaspora, and pledged to continue to work with Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa and the NiDCOM team.
