Dabiri-Erewa Faces Allegations of Ethnic Bias Over Ihejirika’s Death Row Case

Accusations of Ethnic Bias Against Dabiri-Erewa in Ihejirika’s Mistaken Identity Death Row Case

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has been accused of ethnic bias after failing to mention a critical aspect of Ihejirika’s mistaken identity death row case during a public announcement. Emma Ihejirika, a Nigerian wrongfully sentenced to death for drug trafficking in Indonesia, was recently freed, thanks to the tireless efforts of Nigerian lawyer Barrister Emmanuel Isha Ogebe. While Dabiri-Erewa lauded Ogebe’s pro bono work, her omission of the mistaken identity detail in Ihejirika’s case has sparked controversy.

The crux of the issue lies in the fact that Ihejirika’s mistaken identity death row case was a pivotal reason for the Indonesian Supreme Court’s decision to overturn his conviction. The X community quickly criticized Dabiri-Erewa’s statement, claiming that the omission might reflect an ethnic bias against the Igbo community. Emma Ihejirika’s death sentence was based on an erroneous identification, which Ogebe believed from the beginning. His determined legal efforts eventually exposed the truth, leading to a victory for justice.

The omission of such a vital fact, particularly in Ihejirika’s mistaken identity death row case, has raised questions about Dabiri-Erewa’s handling of ethnic issues. It is not the first time that she has been accused of bias in dealing with Nigerians abroad. Critics argue that by not addressing this key detail, the public has been misinformed, and it reinforces past claims of discrimination.

Barrister Ogebe, alongside the Nigerian Charge d’Affaires in Indonesia, Patricia Alechenu, played an instrumental role in securing Ihejirika’s release. Their collaboration was crucial in proving the mistaken identity in the case, yet this was not fully acknowledged in Dabiri-Erewa’s public remarks.

In light of these developments, the issue of transparency and fairness in reporting significant events like Ihejirika’s mistaken identity death row case has come to the forefront. The omission has sparked further discussion about ethnic relations in Nigeria, particularly concerning cases involving Nigerians overseas.