A Nigerian man, Emmanuel Ihejirika, who had been on death row in Indonesia for drug trafficking, has been released after spending several years in prison, News About Nigeria reports.
The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, confirmed his release on Friday.
Dabiri-Erewa recalled that a Nigerian delegation, led by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ojo Madueke, had visited Indonesia years ago to plead for clemency on behalf of 21 Nigerians sentenced to death for drug offences.
Despite their efforts, four of the convicted individuals were executed alongside an Indonesian and a British citizen.
“Ihejirika’s case, however, was believed to be a case of mistaken identity,” said Dabiri-Erewa.
She praised Nigerian lawyer Emmanuel Isha Ogebe, based in Washington, D.C., for his tireless pro bono work in securing Ihejirika’s release.
Ogebe successfully brought the case before Indonesia’s Supreme Court, which led to Ihejirika’s release in December.
Dabiri-Erewa also commended Nigeria’s Charge D’Affaires in Indonesia, Patricia Alechenu, for her ongoing support throughout the case.
She reiterated the seriousness of drug-related offences in Indonesia, where drug trafficking carries a death sentence, and urged Nigerians to avoid involvement in such activities.
Ogebe expressed gratitude to Dabiri-Erewa for her continued advocacy for Nigerians abroad and pledged to continue collaborating with NiDCOM to assist other Nigerians in need.
In a separate statement, NiDCOM also raised concerns about irregular migration following a viral video showing Nigerians stranded in Libya.
Despite previous evacuations and warnings, many Nigerians still risk dangerous migration routes.
The commission noted that over 10,000 Nigerians had been evacuated from Libya in a government-led operation supported by international agencies.
