Aug. 20, 2021

The Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has assured that the case of the over 300 Nigerians who have been said to be ‘illegally’ detained in Italian prisons for contrived charges on mafia-related offences would get the needed attention it deserves.

Hon Dabiri-Erewa noted this at a meeting with the former Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Osaze Osemwingie-Ero who was narrating his ordeal in Italy after his wrongful incarceration, together with other innocent young Nigerians.

The NIDCOM boss while commiserating with the former commissioner emphasised that the important thing at the moment was the plight of Nigerians who the commissioner met in the Italian prison.

She explained that the first step would be to take up the case with the Attorney General’s office, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dabiri-Erewa said there are many cases of this nature that the AGF, Abubakar Malami handles, and that this case will be treated with the urgency that it deserves.

“Indeed if there are so many Nigerians in Italian prisons languishing for years, for an offence (they told you and you interacted with them) that they did not commit, we can’t just watch and see that happen.”

She however noted that the Commission will be thorough about the case, adding that every legal avenue will be explored.