The recent beheading of Kudirat Afolabi by the authority of Saudi Arabia over drug-related issue sparked outrage in the media.
Many believed that the there is a cold relationship between the Kingdom and Nigeria.
However, according to a document obtained by Insight Media, Not less than 23 other Nigerians are on death row in Saudi Arabia.
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. The convicted Nigerians are:
1. Adeniyi Adebayo Zikri
2. Tunde Ibrahim
3. Jimoh Idhola Lawal
4. Lolo Babatunde
5. Sulaiman Tunde
6. Idris Adewuumi Adepoju
7. Abdul Raimi Awela Ajibola
8. Yusuf Makeen Ajiboye
9. Adam Idris Abubakar
10. Saka Zakaria
11. Biola Lawal
12. Isa Abubakar Adam
13. Ibrahim Chiroma
14. Hafis Amosu
15. Aliu Muhammad
16. Ms Funmilayo Omoyemi Bishi
17. Ms Mistura Yekini
18. Amina Ajoke Alobi
19. Kuburat Ibrahim
20. Alaja Olufunke Alalaoe Abdulqadir
21. Fawsat Balagun Alabi
22. Aisha Muhammad Amira
23. Adebayo Zakariya.
Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has also defended its legal system following the controversy that trailed the beheading of Kudirat Afolabi.
In an interview with The Nation, the ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Adnan Mahmod Bostaji, on Sunday, April 14, 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 1.5 million Nigerians live in Saudi Arabia unmolested. “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,” he said.
Bostaji pleaded with the authorities at all Nigerian airports to implement procedures that will prevent drug smuggling.
He 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 continuous 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.”
