Senate Supports The Death Sentences Passed On 16 Nigerians In Indonesia

The Senate yesterday foreclosed further intervention in the case of over 300 Nigerians in Indonesia prisons. 

About 16 of them are said to be on the death row for drug-related offences. 

Senate President David Mark gave an indication of the lawmakers’ helplessness to help the prisoners at plenary yesterday.

He noted that Nigerians who smear the name of the country should be left to their fate whenever they are caught. 

The Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Matthew Nwagwu, had drawn the attention of the Senate to the plight of over 300 Nigerians in Indonesian prisons. 

Nwagwu, who spoke under matters of urgent national importance, noted that there was “disturbing and shocking news of over 300 Nigerians held in Indonesian prisons”. 

The lawmaker specifically told the Senate that about 16 of them are on the death row and could be killed any moment. 

He said there has been public outcry about the situation. 

Nwagwu said: “I have already called the Minister of Foreign Affairs and he assured me that he would get in touch with our mission in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital. Though he was of the opinion that most of the issues relate to drugs and drug related offences. So, Mr. President, I suggest we invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs to come and address the Senate on the issue. Let us know what is happening and what could be done to, if possible, review some of the cases.” 

The Senate, Mark said, had sent a delegation to Indonesia after adopting a motion by Senator Uche Chukwumerije on the matter. 

“Mark said: “We sent a delegation to Indonesia, Singapore and China. The delegation brought back a report, saying all of them on death row were people involved in drug trafficking. We were told that all those on death row had exhausted all legal options available to them and it was only our intervention that stopped them from being killed. 

“If they are still alive, then they should thank their God.” 

The Senate President said Nigerians “who go and break laws in other countries should not expect us to protect them”. 

He added: “We will not allow any Nigerian to be maltreated outside this country. We can even go to war for one Nigerian, if he is unfairly treated. But Nigerians who go out and carry drugs should know the risk they are taking. So, we will not protect them. 

“I think there is a clear line between a honest, genuine Nigerian, who is out there doing his honest job in accordance with the laws and regulations of the country, and those who go there to smear the name of Nigeria. That we will not take...”