Act before they die: 18 Nigerians facing execution in Indonesia

Urgent Press Release.

The news of a group of Nigerians sentenced to death in Indonesia was made public last month through a news paper report. Some other Nigerians are also reported to be serving life sentences. Their offences are listed as drug trafficking.

As a pro-Nigerian organisation we have been following this case as well as making contacts with various groups and it is now clear that the Nigerian government had sent, as reported by the journalist who broke this story  “a high powered delegation” including the then Minister of External Affairs at the time to INDONESIA in 2008. We understand that the purpose of that visit was to reason with the Indonesia authorities and plead for clemency for these fellow Nigerians in Diaspora.  Unfortunately, it would appear that nothing more has happened since then.

We are very concerned for the well being of these fellow Nigerians and also very alarmed to learn that they may have been denied access to justice in accordance with Indonesian law, natural justice and the Human Rights Convention. We further understand that some of them who had something close to legal representations did not understand the charges against them due to language barrier. This may sound far fetched at first but our efforts to speak to the

Indonesian government officials have proven that this is a real barrier.

These detainees have continued to protest their innocence asking for the opportunity to challenge their sentences by way of further appeals to higher courts but are unable to do so due to prohibitive legal costs. From the newspaper report and other sources they are expected to deposit as much as $20,000.00 dollars in order to pursue any such appeals.

We find the conduct of the Indonesian government wholly inhuman and degrading and an affront to common sense, humanity and justice and therefore a breach of natural justice and the Human Rights convention.

This is not the first time we are witnessing the gross abuse of the human rights of Nigerians and indeed the loss of life in recent times. The recent Libyan episode and eventual killing of two Nigerians is a clear case in point.

This was despite pleas by various organisations including some agencies of the Nigerian government.

These happenings could no longer be ignored without the continued loss of liberties by Nigerians who maybe engaged in legitimate travels. Freedom of movement is a right that should not be denied anyone in the modern world.

Most importantly, we are dismayed by the lack of coordinated approach to safe guarding the rights and lives of Nigerians living in other countries by our government. More than ever before it is now a matter of great urgency for the government to deploy all the necessary resources of state to ensure that Nigerians and by extension, Nigeria are given due respect and protection through the application of needed diplomatic pressures.

The case of Nigerians presently facing the death sentence in Indonesia is an urgent one and we are calling on our home government to urgently instigate all diplomatic channels to secure proper representation for these citizens.  If after proper investigation these people are found guilty, our government still owe them and Nigerians a duty to plead for clemency and reduction of the death sentence to lesser punishment and for these citizens to serve out their time in a Nigerian prison. This form of active diplomacy will bring our country international respect and foster the spirit of nationalism in Nigerians.

Furthermore we are calling on the representatives of these citizens in the Nigerian parliament to rise up to the urgency of the present occasion by taking up the case of these unfortunate 18 Nigerians and aggressively argue for urgent executive action. We urge every Nigerian to approach members of their respective State of Assembly, House of Representative and Senate and demand their urgent action. As our representatives their all owe individual and collective responsibilities to act quickly and save the lives of these fellow Nigerians in the Diaspora. Their failure to act would only encourage international law enforcement authorities and agencies to continue to abuse the rights of Nigerians all over the world and endanger the lives of many well meaning Nigerians who are innocently going about their businesses. 

To help members of National Assembly as well as the Governors of the states of the endangered citizens, we are listing below the names, towns/states of origins of these Nigerians as provided to us by our contact to help the respective Legislators identify those who are from their constituents. We call on the State Governors and legislators representing the communities of these citizens to rise to the occasion and do something special – be the voice of these your constituent members to the Government of the Federal republic of Nigeria.

These people must be saved not just by the government but by all Nigerians standing together to demand reprieve for these individuals and respect for Nigerians and Nigeria.

 NAMES OF NIGERIANS TO EXECUTED IN INDONESIA

1 Okonkwo kingsley (Onitsha)

2 Micheal Titus (Osuohu)

3 Uchenna Onyeworo {aka seck usman} (Uli)

4 Sylvester Nwolisa (Orukwu)

5 Denis Anumona (Agulu)

6 Ikenna Ezewunne (Nnobi)

7 Okwudili Ayotaeze (Nnobi)

8 Obinna Nwajagu (Ufuma)

9 Adam Wilson (Igbukwu)

10 Fredrick Luther (Nnewi - Anambra State)

11 Emmanuel ihenjirka (Ebonyi State)

12 Humphery Ejike (Isukwuato)

13 Ekperedike Olekamma (Isuochi - Abia state)

14 Hilary Chimezie (Obowo)

15 Gabriel Nnadi (Owerre - Imo State)

16 Eugene Ape (Ezike - Enugu)

17 Daniel Enemuo (Ezeagu - Enugu state)

18 Martin Anderson (Ijebu-Ode - Ogun state)

Arisenigeria stands for justice and fairness and therefore will not give up on representing these fellow Nigerians at every level including where necessary suing anyone whom they feel have failed these 18 and other Nigerians in similar situations all over the world. Arise Nigeria have to date written to so many government functionaries in their individual and official capacities and take this opportunity to invite readers and our supporters to visit our news page on our website www.arisenigeria.org where these letters have been published. We invite every Nigerian to join our cause and put pressure on our government to represent us and truly promote the Nigerian slogan good nation, good people campaign of redemption of our names and image all over the world.

We thank everyone for standing to be counted as we join hands to fight for common good as a people.

God Bless Nigeria.

 Dr Philip Idaewor 

Chairman

 Charles Eze

Chief Operating Officer

 Jenny Okafor

Campaign Coordinator