The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) clarified the status of Suleimon Olufemi, a Nigerian national who has been on death row in Saudi Arabia for over 20 years.
The clarification follows an open letter from Amnesty International seeking President Bola Tinubu’s intervention over the case of Olufemi who has been on death row in Saudi Arabia for more than 20 years.
In a statement on Tuesday by the Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM accused Amnesty of omitting critical facts regarding the case.
The Commission clarified that Sulaimon had traveled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah in 2002 and was arrested in Jeddah following a mob incident where a police officer was killed.
While 12 other Nigerians arrested with him were eventually released and deported after serving prison terms, Sulaimon alone was sentenced to death in May 2005.
NiDCOM revealed that following extensive diplomatic interventions, the family of the deceased police officer agreed to a pardon on the condition of a $570,000 (USD) “blood money” payment.
This agreement was reached approximately three and a half years prior to the current 2025 statement.
NiDCOM maintains that the fate of his execution or release rests with the victim’s daughter, who has now reached the legal age (18+) required under Sharia law to decide whether to uphold the death sentence or grant a pardon.
It further criticized Amnesty International for portraying the Nigerian government as inactive.
The commission stated it has consistently worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian mission in Saudi Arabia to seek clemency, including direct meetings with the victim’s family.
NIDCOM emphasized that it continues to explore all diplomatic avenues under the “Renewed Hope” agenda to protect Nigerians abroad.
