Despite the successful rescue of Emmanuel Ihejirika in 2023, 18 Nigerian citizens remain on death row in Indonesia, according to international human rights lawyer, Emmanuel Ogebe.
Ogebe, who played a pivotal role in Ihejirika’s release, disclosed this in a recent letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
In the letter, Ogebe detailed the harsh conditions the Nigerians face, describing the looming threat of execution they endure. He also shared his personal experience, recalling how he fled to the United States in 1997 after being targeted by dictator Sani Abacha, an ordeal that motivated him to intervene in cases like Ihejirika’s. Ihejirika had initially sought asylum in Indonesia but became a victim of human traffickers, which led to his involvement in drug-related crimes.
Ogebe’s update, shared with TheNiche, included copies of his correspondence with Dabiri-Erewa and a report on the dire circumstances under which Nigerians are held in Indonesian prisons.
“I am deeply grateful for the outpouring of goodwill from Nigerians at home and abroad following the successful rescue and repatriation of a Nigerian wrongly sentenced to death as ‘Emmanuel Ihejirika’ after spending 20 years in prison in Indonesia,” Ogebe wrote.
He highlighted a personal milestone, reflecting on his own journey into exile: “On 16 September 2024, it marked exactly 27 years since I fled to the U.S., escaping the murderous Sani Abacha regime. That event was pivotal, leading me to become one of Nigeria’s foremost human rights lawyers in the diaspora. This allowed me to help overturn Ihejirika’s death sentence and facilitate the relocation of over 25 at-risk Nigerians to the U.S.”
Ogebe also emphasized his faith, quoting a Bible verse that he feels embodies his life mission: “Genesis 50:20 says, ‘What the enemy meant for evil, God turned around for good for the saving of many lives.’ This verse has been my guide throughout this journey.”
In his letter to Dabiri-Erewa, Ogebe provided a list of Nigerian prisoners still held in the same Indonesian facility as Ihejirika, calling on NIDCOM to investigate their status. He expressed optimism that, with diplomatic engagement and recent changes in Indonesia’s laws, there may be an opportunity to save more Nigerians from their grim fate.
“I urge that a delegation be sent to Indonesia to assess the situation, as countries with strong diplomatic ties and active presence tend to achieve more breakthroughs. The recent election of a new government in Indonesia might provide a fresh opportunity for dialogue,” he wrote.
Ogebe reaffirmed his commitment to supporting distressed Nigerians abroad and thanked Dabiri-Erewa for her consistent efforts in advocating for the welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora.
In closing, he included a photograph of Ihejirika’s repatriation flight, which took place on Christmas Eve, reuniting him with his family in Nigeria after years of wrongful imprisonment.
