By Mercy Peter
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has renewed its appeal for clemency and release of Nigerian national, Suleimon Olufemi.
Olufemi has remained on death row in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for more than two decades, following the full payment of the required Diyah (blood money) amounting to $570,000 USD.
In a statement issued on Monday, NiDCOM said the appeal is anchored on the principles of fairness, justice, compassion, and the long-standing diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
The Commission disclosed that the Diyah was successfully raised through a collaborative effort involving NiDCOM, the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, and Saudi-based philanthropists known as the Yaro Brothers, with support from well-meaning Nigerians both at home and abroad.
According to the statement, the funds have been fully paid into a designated Saudi account opened specifically for this purpose, fulfilling a major requirement set by the family of the deceased under Saudi law.
NiDCOM expressed optimism that ongoing diplomatic engagements led by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON), would result in mercy and a pardon for Olufemi, who has been in detention since 2002.
Suleimon Olufemi was arrested in Jeddah on September 29, 2002, a day after an incident in which a Saudi police officer lost his life. Olufemi, who was in the country on a lesser Hajj (Umrah) visa, was reportedly visiting a friend at the time of the incident. Following investigations and trial, he was sentenced to death in May 2005, while other individuals involved received prison terms.
Under Saudi Arabia’s legal system, cases involving loss of life allow the victim’s family to choose between insisting on capital punishment or granting pardon in exchange for Diyah.
NiDCOM noted that the child of the deceased officer, who was a minor at the time of the incident, has now reached legal adulthood, making it legally permissible for the family to take a final decision on pardon.
Despite several diplomatic interventions and mediation meetings over the years including efforts led by NiDCOM’s former Legal Director, Barrister Abdullahi Bello the family of the deceased maintained their position that Olufemi must pay Diyah in the sum of $570,000 USD as a condition for clemency.
NiDCOM, in partnership with the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia and with the leadership of the Yaro Brothers, spearheaded a sustained fundraising campaign to meet the financial requirement. The Commission confirmed that the full amount has now been raised and remitted.
The Commission described the development as a major milestone in the long-running case and called on Saudi authorities and the family of the deceased to exercise mercy in the spirit of compassion and bilateral friendship between both nations.
NiDCOM further reaffirmed its commitment to the protection and welfare of Nigerians abroad and commended all individuals and organizations who contributed financially and diplomatically to the cause.
“We remain hopeful that with the Diyah fully paid and sustained diplomatic engagement, mercy will prevail after over two decades of incarceration,” the statement said.
