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Tag: Saudi Arabia

  • Poland 2019: Flying Eagles tackle Saudi Arabia in Vienna

    Nigerian and Saudi Arabian U-20 squads will be at each other’s jugular in Vienna, Austria on Sunday night as both teams continue to perfect their preparations for this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Poland.

    Both teams were scheduled to clash in a friendly in Jeddah earlier in the year but unforeseen events led to the cancellation.

    That meeting was meant to prepare seven-time African champions Nigeria for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations finals in Niger Republic in February.

    With both teams having qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals, Sunday’s encounter has even higher relevance, only weeks before the World Cup opens in Poland.

    The match will take place at the Sportschule Lindabrunn in Vienna, capital of Austria, according to Team Administrator, Aliyu Ibrahim Lawal.

    While the Flying Eagles will confront Qatar, USA and Ukraine in Group D at the FIFA U20 World Cup finals, Saudi Arabia will sort things out with Panama, Mali and France in Group E.

    In Saudi Arabia, Nigeria will be looking to have an idea of how Qatar set up and do the business on the field, while in playing Nigeria, the Saudis hope to gain knowledge of what to expect from Mali in Poland.

    The Nigerian U-20 boys, the Flying Eagles got a surprise visitor at their Germany camp on Thursday when former Super Eagles’ striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni paid a visit to the team.

    Aiyegbeni, who played for Nigeria at the 2000 Olympics in Australia, said he decided to visit the team to motivate the players ahead of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Poland.

    The former Everton and Portsmouth striker was also happy to reunite with his former teammate Wilson Oruma who is the Welfare Officer of the team.

    “I have played in the youth sides for Nigeria and I know what it means to these young lads (the Flying Eagles) to represent their country, ” the former striker said. “It was a pleasure to come here and speak with the boys and also encourage them to go all out and do the country proud.

    “I am happy with what I’ve seen in training and I urge them not to rest on their oars. They have the quality to do the country proud.”

    Aiyegbeni also commended the technical crew for the blend of home-based and overseas-based players in the squad. The former Portsmouth striker opined that the blend will do Nigeria some good as he also expressed happiness in meeting his former Super Eagles’ teammate Wilson Oruma.

    “The blend is good and I hope the boys will bond well before the tournament begins. The technical crew has done well with what I’ve seen and I believe Nigeria will go far in the competition. I urge them to win the Cup to celebrate President Buhari’s victory in the last elections. I am also very happy to meet Wilson Oruma. He’s my former teammate and brother and it is nice seeing him today. I wish the team all the best in Poland and hope they win the trophy for the first time,”  Aiyegbeni added.

  • [ICYMI] Revealed: 23 Nigerians on death row

    SAUDI Arabia is defending its legal system following the controversy that trailed the beheading of a Nigerian woman, Kudirat Adeshola Afolabi, for drug trafficking.

    No fewer than 23 Nigerians are on the death row in the kingdom.

    The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Amb. Adnan Mahmod Bostaji, yesterday said sentences are only carried out after the evidence has been established.

    He described the legal system as transparent, adding that it works on fairness and justice.

    He also said about 1.5million Nigerians live in Saudi Arabia unmolested.

    Bostaji pleaded with the authorities at all Nigerian airports to implement procedures that will prevent drug smuggling.

    The Nation has stumbled on a document listing 23 more Nigerians on the death row in Saudi Arabia.

    In an exclusive interview with our correspondent, Amb. Bostaji said: “The legal system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is transparent and only works on fairness and justice.

    “Death sentences are only carried out after all evidence has been established, and this is exactly what was done in the case of the recently executed Nigerian woman.

    “ In fact, in her recent statement, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Arewa,  condemned what the woman had done.

    “I hope the media and social networking channels will restrain themselves from hasty judgments and comments. I believe that we all have interest in doing justice.

    “I also want them to note that there is continous coordination, as well as cooperation, between the officials and the embassies of both countries.

    “The two countries have had robust years of bilateral relationship, including cooperation on various international matters of mutual interest.”

    According to Bostaji, about 1.5 million Nigerians are living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia without molestation.

    He said: “I would like to also state that there are good Nigerian citizens living in the Kingdom and they are very active within the Saudi society. Saudi Arabia has nothing against Nigerians.

    “As at today, we have over 1.5 m Nigerians in Saudi Arabia in virtually all sectors of our economy.

    “These 1.5 million Nigerians are legitimately engaged in various services and they are not being molested. You should not use the misconduct of a few Nigerians to assume that all is not well between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Nigeria.

    “I would also urge the authorities at all Nigerian airports to take measures and implement procedures that would guarantee the prevention of drug smuggling.”

    No fewer than 23 Nigerians are on the death row in Saudi Arabia, their fate hanging in the balance.

    The convicted Nigerians are: Adeniyi Adebayo Zikri; Tunde Ibrahim; Jimoh Idhola Lawal; Lolo Babatunde;  Sulaiman Tunde; Idris Adewuumi Adepoju; Abdul Raimi Awela Ajibola; Yusuf Makeen Ajiboye;  Adam Idris Abubakar; Saka Zakaria; and Biola Lawal.

    Others are: Isa Abubakar Adam; Ibrahim Chiroma; Hafis Amosu; Aliu Muhammad; Ms. Funmilayo Omoyemi Bishi; Ms. Mistura Yekini; Amina Ajoke Alobi; Kuburat Ibrahim; Alaja Olufunke Alalaoe Abdulqadir; Fawsat Balagun Alabi; Aisha Muhammad Amira; and Adebayo Zakariya.

    According to the document, the Nigerians were found guilty of allegedly contravening the “Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Control Law, issued under Royal Decree No. M/39 dated 8/7/1428AH  and is punishable with death penalty.

    “Unfortunately, between 2016-2017, these Nigerians were arrested at King Abdul-Aziz International Airport, Jeddah and Prince Muhammad bin Abdu- Aziz  International Airport, Madinah for smuggling narcotic drugs concealed in their rectums.”

  • How executed Nigerian smuggled drugs into Saudi Arabia -Presidency

    The Federal Government said yesterday that drugs was hidden in the body of Kudirat Afolabi, who was executed in Saudi Arabia on April 1.

    It said Afolabi was among the 20 persons arrested with drugs hidden in their body parts.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Relations and the Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, told the  News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the clarification became necessary in a bid to clear the air regarding the circumstances leading to the execution of the Nigerian.

    Afolabi was executed alongside two Pakistani men and one Yemeni man, bringing the total number of people killed by Saudi Arabia this year to 53.

    There had been attempts, especially in the social media, to link Afolabi’s fate with the activities of alleged syndicates operating at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

    Read also: Saudi Arabia: due process followed before execution of Nigerian

    The syndicate allegedly specialises in planting drugs in the baggage of unsuspecting travelers.

    Abike-Dabiri, however, said Afolabi did not belong to the list of seven who are suspected to have fallen victim of the four-man gang hard drugs planting syndicate.

    “There are some people caught in Kano, but those they allegedly gave the drugs to are yet to face trials in Saudi.

    “What we can now do is to prevail on the Saudi authorities  that those people awaiting trials in their country are among the victims of the Kano syndicate.

    “If Nigeria can do this, through National Drugs and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian mission in Saudi Arabia, they might not even be charged to court.

    “Ms Afolabi was one of those drugs were found in their bodies. They were 20 in number. They are the ones on the death roll, as drugs were found in their bodies, including their private parts.

    “In their case, the Saudis do not appear to waste so much time on them. What is on social media that the lady could have been saved was incorrect.

    “There was no way we could have done that. She was found with drugs in her body; just like the other 20,” the presidential aide said.

    She, however, pointed out that in the case of those awaiting trials, the NDLEA can work with the Nigerian mission in Saudi to save them.

    “Who knows, maybe if the NDLEA forward their information to the Saudis that some of these people might be innocent of the crime, they might not even go on trial.

  • Execution of Nigerian woman in Saudi: FG not to blame – Ministry

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refuted the report that it ignored the call for intervention over Mrs Kudirat Afolabi, a Nigerian woman, executed in Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking.

    The ministry in a statement by its Spokesperson, Sarah Sanda, on Friday in Abuja, said the report in one of the media was a complete falsehood.

    “The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to a tendentious, mischievous and libelous article over the matter

    “It alleged that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the minister were somehow responsible for the death of a Nigerian lady, Ms Afolabi, executed in Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking, by not reacting immediately to letters addressed to the minister by the former Consul General, informing of the imminent execution of the lady in question.”

    She said that the attention of the ministry was drawn to what she described as a tendentious, mischievous and libelous article alleging that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the minister were responsible for the death of Afolabi.

    “This is preposterous and a complete falsehood. Clearly those behind the article who have deliberately distorted the facts have an agenda,” she said.

    Read also: Saudi Arabia: due process followed before execution of Nigerian

    The spokesperson said that the report which quoted extensively from a letter written by the said Consul General did not state that the lady in question, Ms Afolabi was about to be executed.

    She said that the letter rather states, “peddling of drugs into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia…..is punishable with death penalty.

    ” Unfortunately,  between 2016-2017 the underlisted Nigerians were arrested……for smuggling narcotic drugs concealed in their rectums.

    “They have since been sentenced to death and the sentences had already been carried out on some of them,” he said.

    She said the report then listed 24 Nigerians on death row or executed, including Ms Afolabi.

    According to her, the truth of the matter is that the a letter from former Consul General was received on Feb. 19 raising an alarm over the criminal acts at certain Nigerian airports.

    “The letter said officials at those airports allegedly smuggled drugs to Saudi Arabia by checking in bags using the details of unsuspecting passengers.

    “Immediate action was taken by the Minister by reaching out to the relevant Nigerian authorities,” she said.

    According to her, the issue regarding Nigerians on death row in Saudi Arabia has been a challenge for many years.

    “Over the last three years, the Minister and our Embassy in Saudi Arabia have relentlessly engaged the Saudi Government orally and in writing on the need to commute the death sentences of Nigerians on death row.

    “Whipping up primordial sentiments by casting irresponsible aspersions does an injustice to the memory of the deceased and to her family and friends,” she said.(NAN)

  • ‘No deal on supply cuts extension with OPEC, allies’

    Major oil producer, Saudi Arabia, yesterday said it was premature to say whether a consensus existed among Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies to extend oil supply cuts but a meeting next month would be key.

    A joint OPEC and non-OPEC ministerial committee known as the JMMC is due to meet in May. Saudi Arabia and Russia are members of the panel, which includes other major oil producers that took part in a global supply-cutting agreement last year, such as Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Nigeria and Kazakhstan.

    “JMMC will be a key decision point because we will certainly by then know where the consensus view is and, more importantly, before we ask for consensus, we will know where the fundamentals are pointing. I think May is going to be key,” Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih, said.

  • Saudi Arabia: due process followed before execution of Nigerian

    he Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja has said all legal and judicial procedures were followed before the recent execution of a Nigerian woman by the Saudi Arabia authorities over alleged drug related offences.

    The Federal Government,  through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa,  on Tuesday faulted the execution of the Nigerian woman.

    She described the news of the execution as pathetic, tragic and sad, stressing that some airlines have been working with drug syndicates to put such drugs in the bags of unsuspecting passengers.

    But the embassy, in a statement in Abuja, said  the execution was carried out after all proofs and legal evidence have been exhausted.

    The Nigerian woman, it said, was accorded every legal right before the death sentence was carried out on her.

    The statement reads “All accused persons subjected to the legal process in Saudi Courts of Law are allowed access to lawyers to litigate on their behalf, and the Kingdom avails itself the responsibility to provide lawyers for any persons that have no financial ability to do so.

    “All convicted persons on whom the death penalty has been carried out in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have gone through trials characterised by legal guarantee of justice to their case because the Kingdom’s judicial system is established on objectivity and is dependent, in terms of its rules and regulations, on the Islamic Law, which has always restored rights to their owners and done justice to the victims. This is what the Kingdom has always affirmed.

    “The death sentence is only carried out in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after all proofs and legal evidence have been exhausted regarding the accused, and the process goes through various legal stages until the allegations against the detained persons have been proven beyond reasonable doubt.

    “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is always in consultation with foreign embassies and consulates in the Kingdom, of which are the Nigerian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate General in Jeddah, and it provides them with all facilitations and information and allows their staff to visit their nationals that are detained vis-à-vis a variety of  charges  as are related to the different stages of their detention and prosecution, and this is allowed every time of their request through normal channels’’.

  • Execution of Nigerian: We followed legal procedure, says Saudi

    The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia yesterday said it followed all legal and judicial procedures before implementing the death sentence on a Nigerian woman, Kudirat Adesola Afolabi.

    It also clarified that the executed lady was accorded every legal right before the death sentence was carried out on her.

    It said all accused persons subjected to the legal process in Saudi courts of law are allowed access to lawyers to litigate for them.

    The embassy made the clarifications in a statement in Abuja against the backdrop of protest by the Federal Government on the execution of the woman.

    The statement said: “With reference to the statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, as published on the cover page of “The Nation” newspaper of 3/4/2019, titled “Fed Govt kicks as Saudi Arabia executes Nigerian,” the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Abuja, clarifies as follows:

    “The embassy affirms that all legal and judicial procedures were followed regarding the accused person and she was accorded every legal right before the death sentence was carried out on her.

    “All accused persons subjected to the legal process in Saudi courts of law are allowed access to lawyers to litigate on their behalf, and the kingdom avails itself the responsibility to provide lawyers for any persons that have no financial ability to do so.

    “All convicted persons on whom the death penalty has been carried out in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have gone through trials characterized by the legal guarantee of justice to their cases because the kingdom’s judicial system is established on objectivity and is dependent, in terms of its rules and regulations, on the Islamic Law, which has always restored rights to their owners and done justice to the victims. This is what the kingdom has always affirmed.”

    The embassy insisted that its judicial system was always painstaking.

    REad also: Drug trafficking: Another Nigerian arrested in Saudi Arabia — Presidential aide

    It also said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was always in consultation with foreign embassies and consulates in the kingdom, of which are the Nigerian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate-General in Jeddah

    The statement added: “The death sentence is only carried out in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after all proofs and legal evidence have been exhausted regarding the accused, and the process goes through various legal stages until the allegations against the detained persons have been proven beyond reasonable doubt.

    “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is always in consultation with foreign embassies and consulates in the kingdom, of which are the Nigerian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate General in Jeddah, and it provides them with all facilitations and information and allows their staff to visit their nationals that are detained vis-à-vis a variety of  charges  as are related to the different stages of their detention and prosecution, and this is allowed every time of their request through normal channels.

    “It is well-known for all those interested in travelling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that the penalty for drug trafficking is the death sentence and the said sentence is applied on all persons convicted without any exceptions, as long as the evidence is established against them, and this is conveyed to every person prior to his trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not neglect the enforcement of penalties in terms of matters of drug trafficking and is determined to apply the law on any person against whom evidence is established in order to combat drug trafficking and protect its citizens from this dangerous menace.”

  • Drug trafficking: Another Nigerian arrested in Saudi Arabia

    Saudi Arabia has arrested at least eight people, including two dual U.S.-Saudi citizens, in an apparent crackdown on supporters of women activists whose trial has drawn condemnation from abroad, an associate and a rights group said on Friday.

    The 11 women on trial had campaigned for the right to drive and an end to the Kingdom’s male guardianship system.

    Their case has intensified Western criticism of Saudi Arabia’s rights record, already in the spotlight after the murder of a journalist, Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in 2018.

    The U.S. nationals are journalist Salah al-Haidar, whose mother Aziza al-Yousef is among those on trial, and Bader al-Ibrahim, a doctor and author of a book about Shi’ite Muslim politics, the associate and London-based Saudi rights group ALQST said.

    Read Also: FG kicks over execution of Nigerian in Saudi Arabia

    Those newly detained are not frontline activists but have expressed support online of women’s rights and other reforms in the conservative kingdom.

    They were picked up on Thursday, according to ALQST and the associate, who was speaking on condition of anonymity.

    Several other people close to the women have also been placed on travel ban since February, they added.

    The Saudi government communications office and the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

  • FG kicks over execution of Nigerian in Saudi Arabia

    The Federal Government on Tuesday faulted the execution of a Nigerian woman on Monday by Saudi Arabia authorities for alleged drug related offenses.

    The Saudi Arabia’s interior ministry said that two Pakistani men, a Yemeni man and a Nigerian woman were executed on Monday for drug trafficking, bringing to 53 the number of people put to death this year alone.

    The Nigerian government described the news of the execution as pathetic, tragic and sad, stressing some airlines have been working with drug syndicates to put such drugs in the bags of unsuspecting passengers.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, while speaking with State House correspondents, noted that the woman executed is the eighth Nigerian to be executed in Saudi Arabia for drug related offenses in the last three years.

    According to her, there are 20 more on death row for the same offense while 12 have been sentenced for various jail terms in the country.

    She said it has been established that there are cases of airlines working hand-in hand with syndicates to put those drugs in the bags of unsuspecting pilgrims.

    She said: “So we have had cases where truly they didn’t commit the offence. We have appealed to the Saudi Authorities to make the trials fair, open and ensure that justice is done.

    “Even if you are going to die, you will know that you die for an offence you committed.

    “So, while we appeal to Nigerians going to Saudi Arabia, we know it is tough, obey the laws of the land. Even Kolanut is treated as a drug.

    “So we will continue to appeal to the Saudi Authorities to treat some of the cases with some form of leniency.

    “Like I said, we have 20 of them in Saudi, this is the eighth to be executed and we are hopeful that maybe we will be able to save the others.

    “So, it is pathetic, it is tragic but we will continue to appeal to Nigerians to obey the laws of the land where you are.

    “However, we expect the trial to be fair, open and ensure that justice truly is done because somebody is sentenced to death.”

    She also described as disgraceful the arrest of five Nigerians, for allegedly robbing a bureau de change in Sharjah of Dh2.3 million.

    The men were caught on camera barging into the exchange and smashed the glass barrier between the customers and the staff, stole the money in multiple currencies and fled.

    Dabiri-Erewa said the men were a disgrace and an embarrassment to the country, themselves and their families.

    She listed their names as Chimuanya Emmanuel Ozo, Benjamin Nwachukwu Ajah, Kingsley Ikenna Nwonka, Toochukwu Leonard Arise and Chile Micah Ndumodu.

    “These five boys are a disgrace to this country and an embarrassment. So if UAE decide to be hard on Nigerians then we will complain that they are hard on us.

    “But we will continue to say that one bad apple should not spoil the whole bunch. Nigerians are hardworking, intelligent so these few should not spoil the whole bunch because this has made news all over the UAE now.

    “We are going to continue to name those who disgrace the country anywhere in the world and we will continue to appeal to Nigerians to be good ambassadors wherever they find themselves,” she added

    Speaking on efforts to educate pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia following the connivance of some airlines with drugs syndicates, Dabiri-Erewa, said: “Since this law came into force where you ensure baggages are identified, it has reduced.

    “The case I am talking about happened between 2016-2017. So it is important you identify your bags, take responsibility for your luggage.

    “The Hajj Commission is also working with these airlines to ensure this is done because we do not want an innocent person to be jailed for an offence he or she did not commit.”

    Read Also; ‘Big men’ must go through security checks at airports, Immigration boss declares

    On whether the Nigerian government will protest to the Saudi Arabia authorities, she said: “We have been doing that. The Nigerian consulate in Saudi Arabia has been talking to Saudi Arabia authorities but I think we need to take it to a higher level now, I mean with 20 on death row, this is the eighth to be killed, we need to engage with the Saudi Arabia authorities more than we have done in the past.

    “With 20 Nigerians on death row, we may be able to save those who did not carry out the crime.

    “We know that drug issues in Saudi Arabia carried death penalty but we will continue to ensure that we intervene properly on behalf of all our citizens to be sure that at least justice has been done.

    “While we condemn drug trafficking in all ramification, let’s ensure we get justice for every Nigerian.”

  • Nigeria to consider reducing oil output for higher prices – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday pledged the cooperation of Nigeria to the effort to reduce oil output in order to attract higher prices in the global market.

    Speaking at an audience with Mr Ahmad Qattan, Minister of State for African Affairs and Special Envoy of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and King of Saudi Arabia, at the State House, Abuja, President Buhari said as a responsible member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Nigeria was willing to go along with the Saudi initiative in limiting output so that prices would go up.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said output cuts had always been difficult for Nigeria considering the country’s peculiar circumstances of large population, huge expanse of land and state of under-development, adding, “I wish we can produce more.”

    He, however, said: “I have listened carefully to the message. I will speak with the Minister of State Petroleum. I will call for the latest production figures. I know that it is in our interest to listen. We will cooperate.”

    President Buhari explained that higher oil prices will make both nations stronger and their citizens more prosperous.

    He commended King Salman for his leadership in global oil matters, assuring that Nigeria will continue to accord respect to the Kingdom in that regard.

    The Special Envoy said he had brought special greetings from King Salman and the Crown Prince, and expressed their best wishes for Nigeria as the country goes into general elections.

    Read Also: Buhari swears-in eight permanent secretaries

    Mr Qattan said the important reason for which King Salman sent him was to make a request to President Buhari to ensure Nigeria’s compliance with quotas assigned in January by exiting previous exemption from output cuts.

    He said his country had reduced its own output by 1.4 million barrels per day to ensure that prices went up, stressing however, that Saudi Arabia alone cannot bring stability to the oil market and shore up prices.

    The Special Envoy called for greater adherence to production cuts by Nigeria and hoped that he would take a positive message back home.