The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has provided a comprehensive breakdown of how a significant sum of $570,000 was gathered as Diyya, or blood money, in a bid to secure the freedom of Suleimon Olufemi, a Nigerian national facing execution in Saudi Arabia for more than twenty years.
Fundraising Efforts Led by Prominent Figures
In a detailed statement issued recently, the commission revealed that the substantial funds were mobilized through a collaborative initiative involving Nigerians living abroad and key stakeholders within the country. Notable contributors to this effort included Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu. This collective action underscores a significant public and private sector response to a dire consular case.
The commission's clarification came directly in response to an open letter penned by Amnesty International to President Tinubu earlier in the week. The human rights organization had urgently called for presidential intervention in Olufemi's prolonged and troubling case.
A Decades-Long Ordeal and Amnesty's Appeal
Amnesty International described Olufemi's experience since his arrest as a "terrible ordeal." The group highlighted serious allegations including torture, a complete lack of access to legal representation, and a confession extracted under duress. These events unfolded during a closed trial that ultimately resulted in a death sentence being handed down in 2005.
The background of the case dates back to September 29, 2002, in the city of Jeddah. Olufemi, who was in Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser Hajj (Umrah), had gone to visit a friend. A fatal incident occurred in the area during his visit, leading to the death of a police officer. Olufemi was subsequently arrested along with other individuals present in the vicinity. While some suspects received prison terms, Olufemi was given the death penalty.
Amnesty acknowledged that an agreement was eventually reached in 2020 for the payment of $570,000 in blood money, contingent upon the victim's youngest child reaching 18 years of age. The organization noted, however, that despite confirmation that the payment was completed on July 4, 2024, Olufemi remains incarcerated at Al-Shumaisi prison.
NiDCOM's Rebuttal and Ongoing Diplomatic Work
NiDCOM countered Amnesty's narrative, stating that the open letter "deliberately left out some facts" concerning the extensive years of diplomatic engagement and fundraising work dedicated to Olufemi's case. The commission's account aims to shed light on the sustained, behind-the-scenes efforts made by the Nigerian government and its citizens to resolve this complex international legal and humanitarian issue.
The case of Suleimon Olufemi continues to highlight the challenges faced by Nigerians abroad and the intricate processes involved in international judicial and diplomatic interventions. It also demonstrates the potent role of community-led fundraising when mobilized for a critical cause.
