Nigerians laud US-based lawyer, Ogede On Ihejirika’s Rescue

By Sampson Uhuegbu

Nigerians from all walks of life have continued to commend a patriotic American -based lawyer of Nigerian extraction, Emmanuel Ogebe from rescuing a Nigerian, Emmanuel Ihejirika from being jailed in Indonesia.

  Ihejirika, from Ebonyi State, was sentenced to death for drug trafficking in Indonesia, has been released after years in prison.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission,  in a statement signed by Gabriel Odu in the Public Relations Unit of the commission, recently, said Ihejirika was released due to pro bono efforts of Nigerian lawyer, Emmanuel Ogebe, based in Washington DC.

The case drew attention several years ago when a Nigerian delegation, including former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ojo Madueke and NiDCOM chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, then a member of the House of Representatives, visited Indonesian prisons to seek clemency for Nigerians on death row.

Four Nigerians, along with an Indonesian and a British citizen, were executed.

Ogebe took up Ihejirika’s case, which he believed was a case of mistaken identity, and pursued it through the Indonesian Supreme Court. His legal work culminated in Ihejirika’s release.

Dabiri-Erewa praised Ogebe during a meeting in Washington DC, highlighting his selflessness and commitment.

She reiterated the severe consequences of drug trafficking in Indonesia and urged Nigerians to avoid crimes.

“Dabiri-Erewa re-emphasised that the penalty for drug trafficking in Indonesia is death adding that Nigerians should stay away from crime,” the statement added.

The release was also credited to the support of Nigerian Charge d’Affaires in Indonesia, Patricia Alechenu.