The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has commiserated with the family of Mr Odemu Efe, a Nigerian, who died in Ethiopian prison recently
NIDCOM in a statement signed by its Media Head , Abdur-Rahman Balogun however said contrary to reports on some online blogs that the deceased died of ill treatment and malnourishment, late Odemu Efe died of HIV/AIDS , according to the death certificate issued by Ethiopian Health Authorities.
NIDCOM stated that a confirmation from the Nigerian Embassy in Ethiopia revealed that the former inmate had been seriously ill and taken to two different hospitals in Addis Ababa before he passed on.
The commission also debunked a statement credited to one Miss Chika Nwachukwu, who accused Nigerian officials of showing lack of concern about the welfare of Nigerians in prison in Ethiopia, as the Nigerian High Commissioner ,Amb. Adeoye Bankole, visit inmates regularly.
Amb. Bankole reportedly visited the Kality Prison in January 2019 and also plan to visit Nigerian inmates again in August/September.
While reacting to the sad event, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NIDCOM condoled with the family of the late Mr Efe ,and prayed God to bless the soul of the departed citizen.
Late Mr Efe was serving a five-year prison sentence in an Ethiopian Penitentiary having been convicted for drug trafficking by an Ethiopian court. He had only served over a year before his demise due to complications from HIV/AIDS.
The statement stated that the burial of the late Nigerian would be undertaken soon through the assistance of Ethiopian Authorities and witnessed by the consular representative of the Nigerian Embassy.
