The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has clarified the circumstances surrounding Suleimon Olufemi, a Nigerian who has been on death row in Saudi Arabia for more than 20 years.

NIDCOM explained that efforts by Nigerians in the diaspora and local stakeholders helped secure the payment of the required blood money for his potential release, with contributions from Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and son of President Bola Tinubu, Seyi.

The commission’s statement was issued in response to a Monday open letter from Amnesty International addressed to President Tinubu, which called for urgent intervention in Olufemi’s case.

Amnesty described Olufemi’s ordeal, arrested on September 29, 2002, in Jeddah during a lesser Hajj (Umra) pilgrimage following a police officer’s death, as a “terrible ordeal,” citing a lack of legal representation, allegations of torture, and a forced confession during a closed trial that led to his 2005 death sentence.

While acknowledging a 2020 agreement for a $570,000 blood money (Diyya) payment after the victim’s youngest child turned 18, Amnesty noted that Olufemi remained detained at Al-Shumaisi prison despite payment completion on July 4, 2024.

But in a statement signed on Tuesday by its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NIDCOM said the letter “deliberately left out some facts” about the process that has been underway for years.

It explained, “Suleimon Olufemi left Nigeria for lesser Hajj (Umra) in Saudi Arabia and decided to check on a friend in Jeddah, where an incident occurred in which a police officer was killed. He was arrested among those in the vicinity. Unfortunately for him, while some received prison sentences, he was sentenced to death.

“With the legal age of the child of the policeman now over 18 years, the family could decide to pardon him or uphold 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 that Suleimon Olufemi must pay blood money (Diyya) of $570,000.

“This was about three and a half years ago, and Amnesty International was nowhere to be found when we approached them to collaborate in raising the required funds, despite having previously shown interest in the case.”

The commission said it worked with the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, led by the Yaro brothers, to raise the money.

“NIDCOM, in conjunction with the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, raised the $570,000, which has been paid into an account opened specifically for this purpose.

“Financial support came from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Seyi Tinubu, who contributed about $150,000, while the rest was raised through GoFundMe, initiated by the Yaro brothers. (This was under President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.)

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

NIDCOM expressed optimism that Olufemi could soon be pardoned, stating that he is being punished for “an offence that really cannot be proven that he committed” and that “he apparently was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

The commission also urged Amnesty International to ensure factual reporting and avoid self-serving narratives in the case.

“The NIDCOM Chairman has been in touch with the Suleimon Olufemi family, having received the aged parents on December 30, 2020, at NIDCOM office in Lagos.

“We appeal to the Saudi authorities to release Suleimon Olufemi from prison, having paid the imposed blood money, in the spirit of fairness, justice, and the cordial diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the statement added. (The PUNCH)

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