The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has appealed to the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to release Suleimon Olufemi, who remains on death row after being convicted of murder in the Holy City.
Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NIDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, said the commission and the Saudi-based Yaro Brothers, working through the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, have raised and paid the required Diyah (blood money) of $570,000 into a designated Saudi account on Olufemi’s behalf.
NIDCOM expressed optimism that ongoing diplomatic engagement led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, will secure mercy or a pardon after the former detainee’s more than two decades behind bars.
“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) joins Suleimon Olufemi’s family in appealing for his release.
“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, we remain hopeful that diplomatic efforts led by the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON) will yield mercy and pardon after over two decades in detention.
“It will be 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 others 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 on 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.”
NIDCOM said it has notified relevant Nigerian diplomatic channels and will continue to press Saudi authorities for Olufemi’s release, stressing the payment and sustained diplomatic efforts reflect a commitment to securing justice and closure for the family.
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