The family of Sulaimon Olufemi, a Nigerian national who has been on death row in Saudi Arabia for 18 years, has appealed to the Nigerian government to save him.
Sulaimon was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia in 2002, for reportedly being part of a mob that killed a Saudi Arabian police officer.
The head of the family, Olabode Olufemi, at a meeting with the Nigerians In Diaspora Commission chairperson, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said before his departure for Saudi Arabia, Sulaimon was never a troublemaker.
“Sulaimon is a child of peace and gentle spirit. We appeal to the government of Saudi Arabia to spare the life of our son. We also appeal to NIDCOM, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Association of Nigerians in Diaspora in Saudi Arabia to come to our rescue,” Olabode pleaded.
Responding, Dabiri-Erewa described the incident as unfortunate as out of 11 suspects, only Sulaimon was sentenced to death.
She pledged that the commission would do its best in getting clemency for Sulaimon.
“The Association of Nigerians in Diaspora in Saudi Arabia, NIDCOM and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would develop synergy on the rescue mission.
“We are hopeful that Sulaimon would be saved through the clemency of the victim’s daughter, who was 18 years old when the incident happened.
“It is a pity that out of 11 people arrested, it was only Sulaimon that ended up bagging a death sentence,” she said. (Sahara Reporters)
