In line with the principle of fairness, justice and strong diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has joined the family of Suleimon Olufemi who is death row in appealing for his release.
According to NIDCOM, with the Diyah (blood money) of $570,000 USD fully raised by the Commission and the Saudi-based Yaro Brothers, through the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, paid into a designated Saudi account, it remains hopeful that diplomatic efforts led by the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, will yield mercy and pardon after over two decades in detention.
NIDCOM in a statement by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocol, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, on monday recalled that Suleimon Olufemi was arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2002 after a police officer was killed during an incident in Jeddah where he was visiting a friend.
He was on a lesser Hajj (Umrah) visa at the time. The arrest happened on September 29, 2002, a day after the incident, and he was subsequently sentenced to death in May 2005, while some got prison sentences.
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.
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 well meaning Nigerians.