The Execution Of Four Nigerians In Indon

The execution reflects concerns over our non-enforcement of drug laws

Four Nigerians convicted of drug trafficking were last week executed by Indonesian authorities.The public communications division of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave the names of the executed Nigerians…

Four Nigerians convicted of drug trafficking were last week executed by Indonesian authorities. The public communications division of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave the names of the executed Nigerians as Martin Anderson, Okwudili Oyatanze, Jaminu Abashin and Sylvester Obiekwe. According to reports, the condemned men were ferried to Nusakambangan Island and executed by firing squad. The Indonesian government, like several governments in the far East and South east Asia, considers drug trafficking a very serious crime. Convicted offenders often pay the ultimate price. And for such countries, the law must take its course. At the airports and entry point of such countries, it is not uncommon to find bold signs warning potential drug traffickers on the ultimate price to be paid if apprehended. With such bold warning signs, it becomes impossible for arrested drug traffickers to plead ignorance before the judges and prosecutors.

With the executions over, all the Nigerian government could do was to demand the repatriation of the corpses of the executed persons to their families for decent burial. However, it is time we took a critical look at why some of our young men believe they could make it through drug trafficking without thinking of its consequences.

Part of the problem is that drug traffickers are treated with kid gloves by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Arrested drug traffickers are hardly prosecuted. The few cases filed in the federal high courts are compromised through dubious plea bargain with convicts most often sentenced to between six and18 months with or without option of fine. Yet, the minimum penalty prescribed by law for possession of drugs or narcotic

ARRESTED DRUG TRAFFICKERS ARE HARDLY PROSECUTED. THE FEW CASES FILED IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURTS ARE COMPROMISED THROUGH DUBIOUS PLEA BARGAIN WITH CONVICTS MOST OFTEN SENTENCED TO BETWEEN SIX AND18 MONTHS WITH OR WITHOUT OPTION OF FINE

substances is 15 years.

There are other challenges. In 2005-2006 in the Lagos area, some197 people convicted of drug trafficking and jailed were never found in any prison while the report of the Justice Gilbert Obayan committee which exposed the judicial racketeering was ignored by the federal government. There is also the case of a drug baron who has been declared wanted in the United States but who has become a political leader and a role model of sorts for several of our youths.

While we sympathise with the families of the executed Nigerians, it is common knowledge that several young people have out of ignorance fallen prey to drug lords and gangs who often promise them fantastic rewards. When such persons get caught, they are usually on their own as their patrons disappear into thin air. Consider the pathetic case of the recently executed Abashin. Said to be homeless in Bangkok, a new “friend” offered him $400 to take some clothes to Indonesia. Unknown to him, the “clothes” contained 5.5 kilogrammes of heroin. Convicted in 1999, Abashin was executed last week.

In search of an elusive greener pasture, several otherwise gainfully employed youth have found themselves caught in the “travelling abroad” web. On arrival, such persons find that life in Nigeria was better. However, many are either too ashamed or too scared to return to face the same people who advised against their trip. In no time such persons, like Abashin, become broke, homeless and vulnerable. This is where agencies like the National Orientation Agency need to double its efforts.

With better enlightenment perhaps the four hapless Nigerians executed last week would have remained in Nigeria and be alive today. We appeal to the Indonesia and other countries with maximum punishment to be more humane in dispensing justice. They should realise that more often than not it is the small fries that face the firing squad. For each drug courier executed, the drug lord has the resources to recruit 10 more.

Finally, all Nigerians should know that every action has a consequence. It is a common saying that he who sows the wind reaps the whirlwind: for every crime, there is punishment.