The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has shed light on the process that led to the payment of $570,000 as blood money for the possible release of Suleimon Olufemi, a Nigerian who has spent over two decades on death row in Saudi Arabia.
The commission gave the clarification in response to an open letter written on Monday by Amnesty International to President Bola Tinubu, calling for urgent intervention in Olufemi’s case.
Amnesty International had described Olufemi’s experience as a “terrible ordeal,” citing alleged torture, lack of legal representation and a forced confession during a closed trial, which led to his conviction and death sentence in 2005 following his arrest in Jeddah on September 29, 2002, during a lesser Hajj pilgrimage.
The organisation also acknowledged that a 2020 agreement was reached for the payment of $570,000 as blood money after the victim’s youngest child turned 18, but noted that Olufemi remained in custody at Al-Shumaisi prison despite the funds being fully paid on July 4, 2024.
However, in a statement signed on Tuesday by NIDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the commission accused Amnesty International of omitting key facts surrounding the fundraising and diplomatic efforts.
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 mobilise funds for the payment.
“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 be pardoned, noting that he was 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 accurate reporting and avoid what it described as self-serving narratives.
“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.
