The Federal Government has condemned the execution of four
Nigerians by the Indonesian authorities over drug-related
offences, despite pleas for clemency by President Goodluck
Jonathan.
The government, while commiserating with the families of the
deceased, demanded the repatriation of the corpses of the
executed Nigerians.
It explained that they would be given decent burials by their
various communities.
A terse statement on Wednesday from the Public
Communications Division of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in
Abuja, gave the names of the executed Nigerians as Martin
Anderson, Okwudili Oyatanze, Jaminu Abashin and Sylvester
Obiekwe.
The government warned Nigerians to desist from drug
trafficking and other offences.
The statement read in part, “The Federal Government of
Nigeria has received with deep disappointment, news of the
execution of four Nigerians ─ Martin Anderson, Okwudili
Oyatanze, Jaminu Abashin and Sylvester Obiekwe ─ by the
government of Indonesia for drug-related offences.
“These executions have taken place despite spirited pleas for
clemency made at the highest level by President Goodluck
Ebele Jonathan, and more recently by the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali.
“The Federal Government wishes to express its condolences to
the families of the deceased.
“It has asked the Indonesian government for the repatriation
of the remains of the executed persons so that they can be
accorded decent burials by their various communities.
“Furthermore, government is committed to engage the
government of Indonesia and other friendly countries regarding
the conclusion of Prisoner Transfer Agreements and other
bilateral means of safeguarding the interest and welfare of
Nigerians.”
The convicts were reportedly taken to the Nusakambangan
Island where they were executed by firing squad on Tuesday.
…Indonesia defends executions
Indonesia on Wednesday staunchly defended its execution of
seven foreigners including two Australians as a vital front of
its “war” on drugs as testimony emerged of how they went
singing to their deaths, The Times of India reports.
Australia withdrew its ambassador in protest at the midnight
executions, but Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, said he
was merely applying “the rule of law” against narcotics
traffickers.
The seven convicts – two from Australia, one from Brazil and
four from Africa – were shot by firing squad along with one
Indonesian, despite strident foreign appeals and pleas from
family members.
Brazil expressed “deep regret” at the execution of its national,
who is mentally ill according to his family, and said it was
weighing its next move.
The condemned men reportedly all refused blindfolds and sang
hymns, among them “Amazing Grace”, as they went to face
the firing squad in a jungle clearing, according to a pastor
who was with them.
As the clock ticked down to midnight, a group of tearful
supporters also sang hymns, embraced and held candles aloft
during a vigil at the port in Cilacap, the gateway to the prison
island of Nusakambangan.
After the executions, family members could be seen crying as
they were ushered away by friends and supporters, an AFP
reporter saw.
A Filipina originally set to be executed was given an 11th hour
reprieve after a woman who allegedly duped her into ferrying
drugs to Indonesia came forward to police in the Philippines.
The reprieve for Mary Jane Veloso was hailed in the
Philippines as a miracle and a gift from God, but Indonesian
Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo stressed it was only a
“postponement” to allow time for police investigations.