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Amnesty International Urges Tinubu to Intervene in Nigerian on Saudi Death Row

ByTitilope Adako

PublishedDecember 22, 2025

Amnesty International has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in the case of Sulaimon Olufemi, a Nigerian who has spent over 20 years on death row in Saudi Arabia, despite reports that conditions for commuting his sentence have been met.

In an open letter to the President, the global human rights organisation described Olufemi’s prolonged detention as an “unconscionable injustice” and urged intensified diplomatic engagement with Saudi authorities.

“Sulaimon Olufemi has been on death row for more than two decades. This prolonged ordeal must end,” said Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International Nigeria’s Country Director.

“The Nigerian government must act decisively to clarify his legal status, secure him legal representation, and ensure his death sentence is quashed.”

Olufemi, now 47, was arrested on 29 September 2002 in Jeddah following the killing of a Saudi police officer during a dispute.

He was detained as part of a mass roundup of foreign nationals a day after the incident.

In May 2005, he was sentenced to death in what Amnesty International described as a closed trial that fell short of international fair trial standards.

“Throughout his arrest, detention, and trial, Sulaimon Olufemi was denied access to a lawyer, consular support, and adequate interpretation.

“He and others arrested with him reported being tortured and forced to thumbprint statements written in Arabic—a language they could not read—which were later used as confessions in court,” Amnesty International said.

While most of those arrested alongside Olufemi received short prison terms and were deported, twelve Nigerian nationals were sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment and 1,000 lashes.

One reportedly died in custody due to lack of medical care, while the remaining eleven were deported to Nigeria in 2017 after completing their sentences.

A key development reportedly occurred around 2020 when the youngest child of the deceased officer reached adulthood.

Amnesty International said the family agreed to accept diyya (blood money) instead of execution, as allowed under Sharia law.

The full amount of SAR 2 million was reportedly paid on 4 July 2024.

“Yet, more than a year later, Sulaimon remains on death row, with no explanation given to his family,” Sanusi said.

Olufemi continues to be held at Al-Shumaisi prison in Jeddah without legal representation, and his family has received no official communication regarding the status of his case or when the death sentence may be formally overturned.

“This ongoing uncertainty is itself a form of cruel and inhuman treatment.

“After more than 20 years on death row, Sulaimon Olufemi and his family deserve relief from their suffering.”

Amnesty International has urged Saudi authorities to immediately revoke the death sentence and finalise the legal process, while also calling on the Nigerian government to increase diplomatic pressure to protect Olufemi’s rights.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.