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NIDCOM Speaks Out On Shocking Death Row Case Of Nigerian In Saudi Arabia.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has responded to an open letter from Amnesty International urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the prolonged case of Suleimon Olufemi, a Nigerian who has spent over 20 years on death row in Saudi Arabia.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In an official statement issued in Abuja, the commission noted that while Amnesty International’s letter was framed as advocacy, it did not reflect the full facts of the case or acknowledge the extensive efforts already undertaken to secure Olufemi’s release.
NIDCOM explained that Olufemi had travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser Hajj, Umrah, before visiting a friend in Jeddah, where an incident occurred resulting in the death of a police officer. Olufemi was arrested along with others present at the scene and subsequently sentenced to death, while some of the other suspects received prison terms.
Under Saudi law, the slain officer’s family had the right to either pardon Olufemi or uphold the sentence once the victim’s child reached adulthood. When the child turned 18, the family demanded blood money, known as Diyya, amounting to $570,000.
According to NIDCOM, this demand was made approximately three and a half years ago. The commission stated that Amnesty International did not participate in raising the required funds despite being approached. “Amnesty International was nowhere to be found when we sought their collaboration to raise the necessary funds, even though they had previously shown interest in the case,” the statement, signed by NIDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Abdur-Rahman Balogun, added.
NIDCOM confirmed that the full amount was eventually raised in partnership with the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, led by the Yaro brothers. Contributions included approximately $150,000 from Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Seyi Tinubu, with the remaining balance sourced through a GoFundMe campaign initiated by the Yaro brothers during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
With the funds now secured in a dedicated account, NIDCOM stated that Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia are in active discussions with Saudi authorities regarding Olufemi’s release. The Minister has also briefed President Tinubu on the progress made.
The commission expressed confidence that a pardon is forthcoming, emphasizing that Olufemi has spent over two decades in detention for an offence it considers unproven. NIDCOM described him as an individual caught in unfortunate circumstances.
While acknowledging Amnesty International’s role in human rights advocacy, NIDCOM called on the organization to present a more balanced account of the case. “We value Amnesty International’s work, but we also urge them to be factual and not pursue self-interest in this regrettable matter,” the statement added.
NIDCOM further revealed that its chairman has maintained regular contact with Olufemi’s family, including receiving his elderly parents at the commission’s Lagos office on December 30, 2020.
The commission appealed to Saudi authorities to release Olufemi, citing principles of fairness, justice, and the longstanding cordial diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, particularly now that the required blood money has been paid.
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ed An UnpUnmatched Productivity: Akpabio Stated That President Tinubu Has commissionrecedented Number Of Projects Nationwide.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has characterized President Bola Tinubu as a “miracle worker,” claiming that his volume of commissioned projects within his first three years in office is unprecedented in Nigeria’s history. Speaking on behalf of the President at the inauguration of the Old Keffi Road—a project marking Tinubu’s three-year milestone—Akpabio emphasized the government’s success in developing infrastructure in satellite towns. He further encouraged Nigerians to evaluate the President’s performance based on his long-standing track record of delivering results, dating back to his tenure as the Governor of Lagos State, as the primary benchmark for the 2027 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
During the commissioning of the Old Keffi Road in the FCT, Senate President Godswill Akpabio highlighted the following points regarding President Tinubu’s administration:
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Unmatched Project Delivery: Akpabio stated that President Tinubu has commissioned more projects nationwide in his first three years than any previous Nigerian president.
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Impact on Infrastructure: He praised the “miracle” of development in satellite towns, specifically referencing projects in the Gaduwa district and Nasarawa State.
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2027 Election Benchmark: The Senate President urged voters to look at Tinubu’s history of results, starting from his time as Lagos State Governor, as a scorecard for the upcoming 2027 election.
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Call for Accountability: Akpabio proposed a new standard for elections where candidates are evaluated based on their proven record of work and tangible achievements.
As part of its ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and voluntary repatriation of its citizens, the Federal Government has organized a third evacuation flight from South Africa. The flight, operated by Air Peace, is scheduled to depart Johannesburg at midnight on Thursday, carrying 271 Nigerians back home. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the aircraft is expected to land at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at approximately 5:30 am on Friday, July 3, 2026.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation program continues with a third evacuation flight from South Africa set to arrive in Nigeria.
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Departure: The flight will leave Johannesburg at midnight on Thursday.
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Arrival: The 271 returnees on board are scheduled to reach Lagos by 5:30 am on Friday, July 3, 2026.
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Purpose: This operation is part of the government’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens and facilitating their safe return to the country.
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U.S. Independence Day: Embassy And Consulate In Nigeria Announce Temporary Closure For Public Holiday!.
In honor of the U.S. Independence Day holiday, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos have announced that they will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026. The U.S. mission shared this information via their official social media channels on Thursday. The Fourth of July holiday annually commemorates the 1776 adoption of the Declaration of Independence, marking the moment the thirteen American colonies formally declared their independence from Great Britain.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos will observe the U.S. Independence Day holiday by closing their offices on Friday, July 3, 2026. This annual holiday, celebrated on July 4, commemorates the historic event in 1776 when the American colonies declared their separation from Great Britain. The closure was confirmed in an official statement released by the U.S. mission on Thursday.
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