Government warns against drug trafficking, regrets Nigerian's execution in China
From Oghogho Obayuwana, Abuja
THE Federal Government at the weekend warned again of the dangerous consequences of trafficking in drugs, following the execution of a Nigerian, Mr. Chibuzor Vitus Ezekwem, in China for his alleged involvement in the illicit trade.
Ezekwem was executed after a Chinese court found him guilty of trafficking in the banned substances. Hundreds of Nigerians are currently in Chinese jails for sundry offences.
Reacting to media inquiries at the weekend, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "This latest execution, sad as it is, brings to mind once again the need to alert Nigerians, that in China and indeed in most Asian countries trafficking in hard drugs carries the death sentence."
Ezekwem's execution is coming as a dent in efforts being made by the Nigerian government to give the country a better image abroad through a re-branding exercise in the face of harassment, arrests and jailing of its citizens for diverse avoidable offences.
In June 2008, two Nigerians were executed for trafficking in hard drugs in Indonesia. No fewer than 18 are still on the death row in that country. This situation prompted the Federal Government delegation led by the Foreign Affairs Minister and two legislators from the National Assembly to Indonesia, to plead for leniency for the Nigerians awaiting execution.
The ministry, also responding to efforts by the Federal Government to stem the tide, said it "wishes to advise Nigerians again, to take note and desist from trafficking in hard drugs, an act which not only tarnishes the image of the country, but also leads to execution of those caught."
Ezekwem was executed on April 23, 2009. The ministry did not explain yesterday why it was making an official reaction to the incident one full week after the execution.
It, however, noted that the Nigerian embassy in Beijing had been on the case "for some time." It added that the embassy had "kept a close watch on the proceedings throughout the period of his trial to ensure that he was given a fair hearing throughout the period of his trial. "
Apparently, the mission's plea for mitigation of the death sentence passed on Ezekwem was rejected and the ruling was eventually carried out in accordance with the laws of the People's Republic of China.
