Indonesian envoy dashes hope of Nigerians on death row

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Headlines Monday, August 19th, 2013

From AIDOGHIE PAULINUS, Abuja

The Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Sudirman Haseng, has said there was nothing his government could do to save Nigerians on death row.President Goodluck Jonathan had on February 3, 2013 requested for a stay of execution of Nigerians condemned to death when the Indonesian President, Susilo Yudhoyono paid a two-day visit to Nigeria.

Speaking exclusively with Daily Sun in Abuja, Haseng said the issue was a common interest of both Indonesia and Nigeria, saying “we don’t discuss details of how to release them, but we discuss details on how to make preferential and protection to them and to others, especially to others.”

According to Haseng, “what we don’t know is the process because the government, as the executive branch, cannot do anything because that is the corridor of the judicial system and all the processes have been done according to the rules of law. Not just national law, but of course, also based on international law. It is a very long process before coming to death decision,” Haseng said.

Although the envoy could not ascertain the figures of condemned Nigerians, he however, stated that nationals of Australia, Brazil, India, China, Iran and some other western countries, were involved.

On the powers of his leader in granting pardon/clemency to convicts, Haseng admitted that the Indonesian President has the final word.

He also said that every judicial decision before executing, has to go through the President, who will ask the consideration from many concerned authorities before making the decision.

The envoy said, “but for the criminals, including the narcotics, knowing the impact of death on the matter, very, very few; very, very little possibility to get the clemency or I will say amnesty.”

On the possibility of life in prison, Haseng said “everything is a possibility, including the death penalty.”

Asked if there is hope that the condemned Nigerians will be released, he said everyone has right and not just Nigerians, adding that some people who were involved in trafficking in drugs in the past were released due to new evidence brought before them.

Haseng did not, however, foreclose the issue of freedom, saying in spite of their present circumstances, respite may still come their way.

-Sunwp_posts