The Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has expressed optimism that Suleimon Olufemi, a Nigerian who has spent more than 20 years on death row in Saudi Arabia, will soon be released.
In an update shared on Instagram on Wednesday, Dabiri-Erewa disclosed that the required blood money of $570,000 demanded by the victim’s family has been fully raised and paid following years of sustained diplomatic and community-driven efforts.
“The $570,000 blood money has been fully raised and paid through years of diplomatic efforts, with support from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Seyi Tinubu, and the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, championed by the Yaro brothers,” she wrote.
“Nigeria’s authorities are actively engaging Saudi officials, and we remain hopeful that justice and mercy will lead to his release.”
The update followed renewed public attention to the case after an emotional video interview in which Olufemi’s mother pleaded for mercy and appealed for her son’s release. She revealed that Olufemi’s father died in December without seeing his son.
“Have mercy on me. Please let him be free and come home, so I can see him again. His father is dead since December and he didn’t see him. Please let me see him again,” she said tearfully.
The case has also drawn renewed scrutiny following an open letter by Amnesty International urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene. The human rights organisation described Olufemi’s trial as unfair, noting that he was denied legal representation, consular access, and adequate translation services during his arrest and prosecution after his detention in 2002.
“Throughout his pre-trial detention and trial, Sulaimon Olufemi was denied legal representation, consular access, and adequate translation or interpretation services,” Amnesty International stated.
In response, NIDCOM criticised the letter, saying it failed to acknowledge critical progress already made by Nigerian authorities and other stakeholders.
“It has come to the notice of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) that an open letter published in some Nigerian newspapers by Amnesty International and addressed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the case of Suleimon Olufemi… deliberately left out some facts,” the commission said.
According to NIDCOM, Olufemi travelled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah and was arrested in Jeddah following the killing of a police officer near the location where he was visiting a friend. While others arrested in connection with the incident received prison sentences, Olufemi was sentenced to death.
The commission explained that under Saudi law, since the child of the deceased officer has now reached adulthood, the family can either insist on the execution or grant a pardon upon payment of blood money. The family reportedly demanded $570,000.
NIDCOM said the funds were raised through contributions from individuals and organisations, including the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Seyi Tinubu, and a GoFundMe campaign organised by the Yaro brothers. The final payment was completed during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The commission added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia are actively engaging Saudi authorities, and that the Minister of Foreign Affairs has briefed President Tinubu on the matter.
“With the funds raised and diplomatic moves being made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs who has also briefed Mr President, we are optimistic that the Saudi authorities will pardon Suleimon Olufemi,” NIDCOM said.
NIDCOM has appealed to Saudi authorities to grant Olufemi’s release on the grounds of fairness, justice, and the longstanding diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
