The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has formally appealed for the release of Suleimon Olufemi, a Nigerian national who has been on death row in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for over two decades, citing principles of fairness, justice and the longstanding diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
In a statement issued by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols at NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, it was disclosed that the required Diyah (blood money) of $570,000 has been fully raised and paid into a designated Saudi account.
The funds were mobilised through a collaborative effort involving NiDCOM, the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, and Saudi-based philanthropists, the Yaro Brothers, with additional support from well-meaning Nigerians.
The Commission expressed optimism that ongoing diplomatic engagements, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, would result in a mercy and a pardon for Olufemi, who has remained in detention since 2002.
Olufemi was arrested on September 29, 2002, a day after a Saudi police officer was killed during an incident in Jeddah, where he was reportedly visiting a friend.
At the time of his arrest, he was in Saudi Arabia on a lesser Hajj (Umrah) visa.
He was subsequently sentenced to death in May 2005, while other individuals connected to the incident received prison sentences.
NiDCOM explained that under Saudi law, with the child of the deceased police officer now over 18 years of age, the victim’s family has the legal right to either grant a pardon or insist on the enforcement of the death sentence.
Following a series of diplomatic interventions and multiple engagements with the victim’s family—some of which involved NiDCOM’s former Legal Director, Barrister Abdullahi Bello—the family agreed to consider a pardon on the condition that the stipulated blood money be paid.
The Commission, in partnership with the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia and led by the Yaro Brothers, successfully coordinated the fundraising campaign to meet the financial requirement, which has now been fulfilled.
NiDCOM reiterated its hope that the payment of the Diyah, coupled with sustained diplomatic efforts, would pave the way for Olufemi’s release, bringing closure to a case that has spanned more than 20 years.