- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) is set to secure the release of a Nigerian pilgrim, Suleimon Olufemi, after over twenty years of being on death row in Saudi Arabia over alleged murder of a policeman.
NiDCOM made this known in reaction to an open letter published by Amnesty International who called for President Bola Tinubu’s intervention over Suleimon’s case.
Reacting in a statement issued on Tuesday by the commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
NiDCOM in the statement accused Amnesty International of omitting some facts in its open letter while recounting how Suleimon was arrested and indicted in murder of a policeman while checking on a friend in Jeddah following his arrival at the Arabian country for lesser hajj.
“Though on the surface, Amnesty International purports to be fighting for his release, it deliberately left out some facts.
“Here are the facts: 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 where a police officer was killed and he was arrested amongst those in the vicinity for murder.
“Unfortunately for him, while some got prison sentences, he got a death sentence. 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, (Barrister 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 nowhere 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 statement partly read.
NiDCOM disclosed how it had raised the money in collaboration with Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.
The commission confirmed that the money had since been paid with the President briefed about the deelopment.
“In any case , 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 State 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 wrote.
While acknowledging the role of Amnesty International, NiDCOM urged the human rights group to be factual in its report, adding that its Chairman, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, had been in touch with Sulaimon’s parent whom she met in 2020.
The commission appealed to the Saudi Arabian authority to release the pilgrim having paid the imposed blood money.
“We appreciate the role of Amnesty International, but we also encourage Amnesty to be factual and not just be self-seeking in this pathetic case.
“The NIDCOM Chairman has been in touch with the Sulaimon Olufemi family wherein she received the aged parents on December 30, 2020 in NIDCOM office in Lagos.
“We appeal 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.” The commission added.