The Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire has called for the urgent intervention of President Bola Tinubu over Nigerians languishing in Abidjan Prisons.
The call which was led by the Community’s president general High Chief Emeka Ownuchelu, expressed concern over the the ill-treatment of Nigerians in the prisons, as many were dying due to lack of proper care.
According to a statement released by the Community and signed by its PRO, Hon. Davidson Ogbu Tabel, President Tinubu’s intervention was urgently needed to save the lives of jailed Nigerians living in deplorable conditions in the country’s prisons.
“Many are being detained for wrong offenses and we understand that some are already dying in prison custody.
“As a Nigerian community in Côte d’Ivoire, we have been trying our best day and night to ensure we help our brothers but we believe our government can make it faster with our host country,” the statement read in part,” the statement, shared on Facebook, read in part.
The Community also decried the wrongful conviction of innocent Nigerians by the Cote d’Ivoire authorities, as well as those wrongfully held even when they are due for release.
“Not many people in prison are criminals, some got there wrongly, while some are overdue for release because of some clauses which can only be from the government.
“We believe in the government of President Bola Ahmed and we are hoping that the government will attend to this issue in Côte d’Ivoire,” it added.
The community stated that it was doing everything within its power to maintain law and order in the country, adding that its president general, High Chief Michael Emeka Ownuchelu was doing a good job of ensuring safety for all.
The statement further read:
“We are doing our best in the Nigerian community to maintain law and order among our brothers and sisters, we respect the laws of the host country and as a matter of fact, the president has ensured he treats issues surrounding Nigerians accordingly.
“The president general of the Nigerian community has repatriated over 600 girls since he assumed office in 2021. Most Nigerians are being trafficked to this country, and this is not good for our image here.
“When the president assumed office in 2021, he made a vow that he was going to address the issues that Nigerians are facing.”
“The government of High Chief Michael Emeka Ownuchelu also achieved the introduction of the Biometric Identification system called (Carte Consulaire Biométrique) valid ID cards issued to Nigerians living in Côte d’Ivoire.
“All these were done in support of the Nigerian Embassy.”
The Community also urged the Tinubu administration to prioritise the Diaspora Fund in its subsequent budget plan to support Nigerians living in the diaspora.
“The fact remains that many of these representatives in Nigerian communities across Africa are spending their money to empower Nigerians in various countries.
“It is something the federal government should look at. They have been assisting the growth of Nigeria without means of funding.
“For example, many times President Michael Emeka had used his money to deport young girls back home against trafficking, sex prostitution, rape and others.
“He provides them accommodation, feeding and lots more,” it further stated.
In 2021, the Nigerian government under the leadership of former President Muhammadu Buhari, ordered investigations into the sudden and mysterious death of Itunnu Babalola, a Nigerian lady wrongfully handed a 20-year jail term in Cote d’Ivoire for alleged human trafficking.
Speaking on the incident, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa condemned the wrongful imprisonment, ill-treatment, and eventual death of Babalola.
“Unfortunately, Itunnu died abruptly while all hands were on deck to seek both legal and diplomatic intervention for her by Nigeria.
“Itunnu was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for an offence she did not apparently commit.
“…the Nigerian mission in Côte d’Ivoire, supported by the Nigerian community, got her a lawyer, paid part payment of legal fees for the lawyer to appeal the judgment, while at the same time seeking diplomatic intervention,” the NIDCOM Boss said in a statement on social media.
“Her death will, however, not stop the appeal in court in order to vindicate her of the charges against her,” she added.