This came about after Mr. Emmanuel Isha Ogebe, a Nigerian attorney residing in Washington, D.C., took up his case pro gratis.

According to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Emmanuel Ihejirika, a Nigerian who was given a death sentence for drug trafficking in Indonesia, has been released from jail after serving a number of years.

This came about after Mr. Emmanuel Isha Ogebe, a Nigerian attorney residing in Washington, D.C., took up his case pro gratis.

Gabriel Odu of the NiDCOM Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit said in a statement on Friday that Dabiri-Erewa thanked Mr. Ogebe for his selflessness and goodwill in taking up the matter during a meeting with him in Washington, D.C.

This came about after Mr. Emmanuel Isha Ogebe, a Nigerian attorney residing in Washington, D.C., took up his case pro gratis.

Gabriel Odu of the NiDCOM Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit said in a statement on Friday that Dabiri-Erewa thanked Mr. Ogebe for his selflessness and goodwill in taking up the matter during a meeting with him in Washington, D.C.

“Several years ago, a delegation from Nigeria led by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Ojo Madueke, visited an Indonesian prison to request clemency for 21 Nigerians on death row who had been found guilty of drug trafficking. The delegation included Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa, who was then a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Ipinmosho, the former Chairman of the NDLEA, and others.”

“They were all put to death, along with a British and an Indonesian citizen.

“After contacting Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa for her assistance, Mr. Emmanuel Isha Ogebe, a Nigerian attorney located in the United States, provided pro bono services for Ihejirika, whose case seemed to be one of mistaken identity, and promised to see the case through to completion.

He was successful in taking the case all the way to the Supreme Court, where Ihejirika was ultimately cleared in December.

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa reiterated that drug trafficking carries a death sentence in Indonesia and advised Nigerians to abstain from criminal activity.

“Therefore, she expressed her gratitude to Barrister Emmanuel Isha Ogebe for his generosity and selflessness in providing pro bono services.”

The head of NiDCOM also commended Ms. Patricia Alechenu, the Nigerian Charge D’Affaires in Indonesia, for her tireless efforts.

Ogebe reportedly complimented Dabiri-Erewa for her work “right from her days as a member of the House of Representatives” in his speech.

He promised to go on working with her and the NiDCOM team, calling her “a morale booster” for Nigerians living abroad.