On Monday, April 1, 2019, a Nigerian woman, Kudirat Adesola Afolabi was reported to have been executed by the Saudi Arabian government after she was convicted of drug trafficking.
Saudi Arabia operates a very strict form of Islamic law and regularly dishes out death sentences for crimes such as homicide, rape, and armed robbery.
Meanwhile, Kudirat, a mother of two, was said to have gone for hajj when the drugs were found in her bag.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa noted that Kudirat’s execution was unfair and not transparent, despite its pleas to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Unfortunately, some days after Kudirat’s execution, it was reported that she may have been innocent of the crime she was accused.
Reports stated that the Nigerian Consul-General in Saudi Arabia wrote two memos to Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, that some of the Nigerians on death row in Saudi are innocent of the crimes they were accused of.
The memos revealed that these innocent Nigerians are just victims of a drug syndicate that plants drugs in passengers’ luggage at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, adding that members of the syndicate had been using particulars of innocent passengers and baggage tags to smuggle drugs into countries.
Currently, “There are 12 Nigerian women serving various jail terms at Dhahban prison for drug smuggling,” the memo read, as reported by The Nation.
Sadly, the late response from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, may have contributed to the execution of Kudirat.
Meanwhile, a twitter user, Penfold, explained that the real criminals had been arrested and prosecuted in Nigeria, and Kudirat’s innocence established in Nigeria but nothing was done to ensure that she was freed.
The execution of Kudirat Adesola Afolabi is solely on The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama and The SSA to PMB on Foreign Affairs & Diaspora, Ms Abike Dabiri.
That was the execution of an innocent person in a foreign land that need not have happened.— Penfold (@remiopakunle) April 10, 2019
Another twitter user, Mr Jack Robinson explained that when Kudirat and her mom were checking in, the weight of their luggage was lesser than the maximum, so the workers asked if they could add some stuff for their people in Saudi and the mother declined but when they got to Saudi, the Lady’s luggage had increased by 6kg.
https://twitter.com/jackdre02/status/1115915424363888640
Mr Jack noted that the Assistant commander general of NDLEA NARCOTICS was aware as 5 workers have been arrested at the Kano International airport and were already in court.
Meanwhile, Abike Arewa-Dabiri said she did not receive the memo and calls for full investigation into the issue.
“…. I expect the MFA to take drastic action against those who kept the detailed letter away from him. I am sure he will do that and deal decisively with any one culpable…. all missions should be held responsible.What I suggest in this case is full investigation by the MFA. Who received the letter? Why was no action taken. Seriously, we are talking about human lives and this issue deserves thorough investigation,” she tweeted in a response to a question to her.
As you said, this is not a forum tfor that. But I expect the MFA to take drastic action against those who kept the detailed letter away from him . I am sure he will do that and deal decisively with any one culpable https://t.co/P9dB9Ce7x3
— Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) April 10, 2019
I understand your point, and all missions should be held responsible.What I suggest in this case is full investigation by the MFA. Who received the lette? Why was no action taken. Seriously, we are talking about human lives and this issue deserves thorough investigation https://t.co/TXMurgGWKK
— Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) April 10, 2019
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