NIDCOM Raises $570k To Reverse Death Sentence Of Suleimon Olufemi In Saudi

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has raised $570,000 to support the family of Suleimon Olufemi, to secure his release following his death sentence in Saudi Arabia over the murder of a police officer in 2002.

According to a statement signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, NIDCOM, the move is in line with the principle of fairness, justice and strong diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The commission and the Saudi-based Yaro Brothers, through the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, raised the $570,000 in Diyah(blood money) for the murder committed by Suleimon Olufemi.

In Arabic and Islamic law (Sharia), Diyah refers to “blood money” or financial compensation paid to the victim or the heirs of a victim in cases of homicide, bodily harm, or property damage.

The statement reads, “With the Diyah (blood money) of $570,000 USD fully raised by the Commission and the Saudi-based Yaro Brothers, through the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, paid into a designated Saudi account, we remain hopeful that diplomatic efforts led by the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON) will yield mercy and pardon after over two decades in detention.

“It will be recalled that Suleimon Olufemi was arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2002 after a police officer was killed during an incident in Jeddah, where he was visiting a friend. He was on a lesser Hajj (Umrah) visa at the time. The arrest happened on September 29, 2002, a day after the incident, and he was subsequently sentenced to death in May 2005, while some got prison sentences.”

The statement added, “With the legal age of the child of the policeman that was killed now over 18 years, the family could decide to pardon him or hold on to the death sentence. After a series of diplomatic interventions and several meetings with the family, which included NiDCOM’s former Legal Director (Barrister Abdullahi Bello), they insisted on Suleimon Olufemi must pay blood money (Diyya) to the tune of $570, OOO dollars.”

“NIDCOM, in conjunction with the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, championed by the Yaro brothers, raised the $570, OOO dollars which has been paid into an account opened specifically for this purpose with financial support from well-meaning Nigerians,” the statement concluded.