Nigeria Reacts to Execution
Nigeria Reacts to Execution and Arrest of Citizens in
Saudi, Dubai
The execution of a Nigerian in Saudi Arabia, pathetic, tragic
—-Dabiri-Erewa
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the
President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora has described the
execution of a Nigerian woman by Saudi Arabia government over drug
related matters as very pathetic and tragic.
In a statement by her Media aide, Abdur-Rahman Balogun in Abuja,
she said the news of the execution of the woman over drug matters
in Saudi Arabia was painful despite repeated warnings to Nigerians
in that country to be law abiding.
Dabiri-Erewa said that it is regrettable that in spite of the
wise counsel for Nigerians travelling to Saudi Arabia by relevant
government agencies to obey the country’s laws, some Nigerians
would still go and run foul of the law.
” This particular execution is very worrisome especially when over
eight Nigerians have been killed in the past few years over the
same issue in Saudi Arabia”” She said.
She said over 20 Nigerians are currently on death row in Saudi
Arabia and many are in prisons serving various jail terms.
“Our major concern, however, is whether the trial was fair to the
convicts as the trial was not open and some of them were said to be
implicated without a defence counsel.
Dabiri –Erewa said that Nigerian government had made some pleas
on behalf of some Nigerians with the Saudi Arabia government to
temper justice with mercy which had not yielded positive
results.
“We are not saying our citizens in Saudi Arabia should be
committing crimes, but we want Saudi Arabia to temper justice with
mercy especially on offences that carry capital punishment’’
“We are appealing again to our citizens to avoid crimes and
criminality in Saudi Arabia and other countries and be good
ambassadors to Nigeria any where they go’’ She added.
Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry said four people were executed
on Monday for drug trafficking, including one woman, bringing to 53
the number of people put to death this year.
Two Pakistani men, a Yemeni man and a Nigerian woman were
executed in the holy city of Makkah, the ministry said in a
statement.
In 2018, Saudi Arabia carried out the death sentences of 120
people as carrying illicit drugs and some other related offences
attract capital punishment in the country.
Signed.
Abdur-Rahman Balogun
S.A. Media to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa
………………………………………..
Dabiri-Erewa condemns Nigerians arrested for robbery in
Dubai
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Senior Special Assistant to the
President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora has condemned the act of
five Nigerians arrested for alleged robbery of Dh 2.3 million
Dinars in Sharjah Area of Dubai, UAE.
The five suspects who were on visitors visas to Dubai are
1. CHIMUANYA EMMANUEL OZOH
2. BENJAMIN NWACHUKWU AJAH
3. KINGSLEY IKENNA NGOKA
4. TOCHUKWU LEONARD ALISI
5. CHILE MICAH NDUNAGU.
A statement by the Special Assistant Media to the SSA,
Abdur-Rahman Balogun
Said the action of the five Nigerians is condemnable.
She described the action of the Nigerians in a foreign land as
despicable and shameful as it was not in accordance with good
character of Nigerians.
She, however, warned Nigerians living abroad to be good
ambassadors of the country and desist from tarnishing the good
image of Nigeria.
Dabiri-Erewa also advised embassies to screen applicants for
visa and ensure that they are of good character.
The five Nigerians had on Sunday allegedly stormed a money
exchange in Sharjah and fled with 2.3 million Dinars before they
were arrested by the Dubai Police.
According to the Police, the men barged into the exchange and
smashed the glass barrier between the customers and the staff,
stole the money in multiple currencies and fled.
Signed
Abdur-Rahman Balogun
S.A. Media to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa