The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has called on authorities in Mozambique to ensure due process in the detention of 42 Nigerians, demanding that they either be formally charged in court or released without delay.
The call followed a denial by Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) that it had detained other foreign nationals aside from the 42 Nigerians, even as Nigerian authorities said they had yet to receive any official communication regarding the arrests.
In a statement issued in Abuja by the Commission’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Chairman/CEO of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the reason for the detention remained unclear, noting that even the Nigerian High Commission had not been formally notified.
According to the statement, SERNIC reportedly claimed that the Nigerians were detained for allegedly staying illegally in the country, but the allegation has not been officially confirmed to Nigerian authorities.
Dabiri-Erewa said families of the detained individuals had been reaching out to the Commission with distress calls, expressing deep concern over the welfare and condition of their relatives.
She also alleged that the detainees’ mobile phones, personal belongings and money were confiscated at the time of their arrest.
The NIDCOM boss disclosed that the Nigerian Embassy in Mozambique had written to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Office of the Attorney General seeking clarification on the situation.
Dabiri-Erewa emphasised that if the Nigerians had committed any offence, the Mozambican authorities should formally charge them before a court of law and make the alleged offences public.
She reiterated that while the Nigerian government would not support criminal activities by its citizens abroad, no Nigerian should be subjected to unlawful detention without being informed of the charges against them.
The commission therefore urged Mozambican authorities to adhere to international legal standards by ensuring transparency and fairness in handling the matter.
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Meanwhile, NIDCOM released the names of the 42 Nigerians currently reported to be in detention in Mozambique. They include: Augustine Chukwuka Okeke; Maximus Anayo; Okechukwu Benjamin Eche; Anaerobi Ikenna Martins; Stephen Anayo Okongwe; Onwujewe Raymond; Chukwunazorom Donatus John; Aginam Chukwuényem David; Collins Aderito Uzoewulu; Okonkwo Nnamdi Johnpaul; Onwunyili Lawrence Chukwuemeka; Ugochukwu Valentine Ezechiedum; Nnamdi Okechukwu; Celestine Okalu; Goodluck Chukwunyere Ephrain; Ebuka Amuh Pablo; Chukwuemeka Steven Ugwu; Cislouyindika Ifeanyi Ezeifeoma; Chinedu Daniel Igwilo; Ideh Samuel Ezinwa; Ogochukwu Michael Okonkwor; Okechukwu Christopher; Chinedu Okeke; Chukwuebuka Tobechukwu Oraka; Simon Nnaemeka; Onyeka Emmanuel Ufondo; Chidera Christopher; Nzube Kingsley Ebere; Ekene Samuel Nwana; Christian Emeka Muoka; Gerald Emeka Godwin; Ogu Inyang; Oluebubechukwu Victor Maduka; Onyedika Kingsley; Donatus Uchi; Chinecherem Alu; Emmanuel Anene Ugwu; Muoneke Mateus; Martin Tochukwu Mbakwe; Ikechukwu Nwali; Lotanna Okeke; and Emeka Henry Ekenta.
NIDCOM reaffirmed that it would continue to engage relevant diplomatic channels to ensure that the rights and welfare of Nigerians abroad are protected.
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