Singapore executes 38 years old Nigerian citizen for drug trafficking

Singapore on Friday executed a Nigerian national,  Chijioke Stephen Obioha, convicted of drug trafficking, after last-minute appeal was rejected.

“A 38-year-old male Nigerian national, Chijioke Stephen Obioha, had his death sentence carried out on 18 November 2016 at Changi Prison Complex,” the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said in a statement.

Obioha was arrested on April 9, 2007 with more than 2.6 kilograms of cannabis, surpassing the statutory amount of 500 grams presumed as drug trafficking in Singapore.

Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa described the execution as heartbreaking despite repeated calls on Nigerians to desist from criminal activities like drug peddling.

In a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun in Abuja said that  since Singapore is determined to enforce its laws as a deterrent to drug trafficking, which has reduced as a result of its stringent capital punishment , nothing much can be done except to continue to appeal.

"While we regret the death sentence passed on the Nigerian, we once again appeal to Nigerians to avoid crimes like drug trafficking with most countries especially in Asia declaring zero tolerance for drug trafficking," Dabiri-Erewa stated.

She reiterated her appeal to Nigerians to avoid drug peddling in their host countries as laws of countries, whether acceptable or not, will be difficult to influence.

Dailytrust