13th September, 2024
By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
A Nigerian man, Emmanuel Ihejirika who had been sentenced to death for drug trafficking in Indonesia has been freed after many years in prison.
Ihejirika was freed after his case was taken up pro bono by a Nigerian lawyer based in Washington DC , Mr Emmanuel Isha Ogebe, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NIDCOM) said in a statement on Friday.
Ihejirika’s case came to light when a delegation from Nigeria, headed by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Ojo Madueke , which included Dabiri Erewa, then a member of the House of Representatives, former Chairman NDLEA, Mr Ipinmosho, among others visited Indonesian prison to plead for clemency for 21 Nigerians on death row convicted for drug trafficking many years ago.
Four of the Nigerians have been executed along with an Indonesian and British citizen.
However, Ogebe who was based in the USA, had later approached Abike Dabiri-Erewa and offered pro bono services for Ihejirika, whose case appeared to be one of mistaken identity,
He succeded , as he took the case up to the Supreme Court, and Ihejirika was finally let off the hook in December
At a meeting with Barrister Emmanuel Isha Ogebe in Washington DC, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa commended Mr Ogebe for his selflessness and kindness in taking up the case.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa re-emphasised that penalty for drug trafficking in Indonesia is death adding that Nigerians should stay away from crime.
She therefore, commended Barrister Emmanuel Isha 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.
Barrister Emmnauel Isha Ogebe, in his remarks, thanked Hon Abike 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.
