Lawyer, NiDCOM free death-row Nigerian inmate in Indonesia

A Nigerian, Emmanuel Ihejirika, who was sentenced to death for drug trafficking in Indonesia has been freed, after several years in prison.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, explained that Ihejirica was freed after his case was taken up pro bono by a Nigerian lawyer based in Washington DC, Mr Emmanuel Isha Ogebe.

At a meeting with Ogebe in Washington DC, Dabiri-Erewa commended Ogebe for his selflessness and kindness in taking up the case.

A statement from NiDCOM on Thursday recalled that years back, a delegation from Nigeria, headed by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Ojo Madueke , which also included Dabiri-Erewa, then a member of the House of Representatives, and a former Chairman NDLEA, Mr Ipinmosho, among others, had visited Indonesian prison to plead for clemency for 21 Nigerians on death row convicted for drug trafficking.

The statement added that four of them had been executed along with an Indonesian and British citizen.

It however added that the Nigerian lawyer Ogebe, based in the USA, had later approached Dabiri-Erewa and offered pro bono services for Ihejirika, whose case appeared to be one of mistaken identity.

He was said to have taken the case up to the Supreme Court, and Ihejirika was finally let off the hook in December.

Dabiri-Erewa re-emphasised that penalty for drug trafficking in Indonesia was death, adding that Nigerians should stay away from crime.

She commended Ogebe for his selflessness and kindness for the pro bono services.

The NIDCOM Boss also praised the efforts of the Nigerian Charge D’Affaires in Indonesia Ms Patricia Alechenu for her unwavering support.

Ogebe also thanked Dabiri-Erewa for her prompt intervention in cases relating to Nigerians in Diaspora right from her days as a member of the House of Representatives.

He described her as “a morale booster “for Nigerians in Diaspora.

He pledged to continue to work with Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa and the NiDCOM team.