20yrs On Saudi Death Row: NIDCOM Says $570,000 Blood Money Paid For Suleimon Olufemi, Awaiting Release

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has said that the sum of $570,000 demanded as blood money by the family of a slain Saudi police officer has been fully paid for the release of Suleimon Olufemi, a Nigerian who has spent over 20 years on death row in Saudi Arabia.

In a statement issued on December 23, 2025, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NIDCOM’s director of media, public relations and protocols, said the commission was setting the records straight following an open letter by Amnesty International urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the case.

Balogun said Olufemi travelled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah and later visited a friend in Jeddah, where a police officer was killed during an incident. He was arrested alongside others found in the vicinity and subsequently sentenced to death, while others received prison terms.

According to NIDCOM, under Saudi law, the family of the deceased officer retained the right to either insist on the death sentence or grant a pardon upon payment of blood money after the victim’s child attained legal age.

Balogun said after several diplomatic engagements and meetings with the family — including efforts involving NIDCOM’s former legal director, Abdullahi Bello — the family agreed to pardon Olufemi upon payment of $570,000.

He said the commission approached Amnesty International at the time to collaborate in raising the funds but claimed the organisation did not respond.

Balogun said the funds were eventually raised about three and a half years ago through efforts coordinated by NIDCOM and the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, led by the Yaro brothers.

The Spokesperson added that Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Seyi Tinubu contributed about $150,000, while the remaining amount was sourced through a GoFundMe campaign. The fundraising and payment, he noted, took place during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The NIDCOM spokesman said the money has since been paid into an account opened specifically for the purpose, adding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia are engaging Saudi authorities on the timeline for Olufemi’s release.

He said the minister of foreign affairs has briefed President Tinubu on the matter and expressed optimism that Saudi authorities would grant a pardon, given that the conditions set by the victim’s family have been met.

Balogun added that the NIDCOM chairman has maintained contact with Olufemi’s family and received his aged parents at the commission’s Lagos office on December 30, 2020.

While acknowledging Amnesty International’s advocacy role, NIDCOM urged the organisation to present a full and factual account of the case. The commission also appealed to Saudi authorities to release Olufemi in the spirit of fairness, justice and the longstanding diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.