UPDATED : Nigerian Facing Death Sentence In Saudi Regains Freedom

A Nigerian, Malam Ibrahim Ibrahim facing the death sentence in Saudi Arabia over alleged illicit drug trafficking has regained his freedom.

Malam Ibrahim Ibrahim an indigene of Zamfara state has been detained over three years after illicit drugs were found in his luggage.

Although, three lower courts in Saudi Arabia had earlier set the Zamfara Islamic cleric free of the allegation, saying Ibrahim was wrongly accused which made the Saudi authorities appeal at a higher court that ruled on the matter today, Tuesday.

A Lawyer in the Nigerian delegation shortly after the court session this morning told Solacebase of the release of Malam Ibrahim Ibrahim.

He was thereafter released to the Nigerian delegation.

He said the federal government led by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Barr. Abubakar Malami prior to the ruling on Tuesday requested the Saudi authority for an adjournment in order for the delegation to present the case with the support of the Nigeria Consular General in Jeddah.

He explained that Malam Ibrahim Ibrahim was arrested three years ago when he embarked on lesser Hajj through Malam Aminu Kano International Airport.

‘’Part of our argument in the court that led to the release of the detainee was records presented with the discovery of a cartel at MAKIA that specialized in inserting illicit drugs in the luggage of passengers without their knowledge,’’ said the lawyer.

‘’The collaboration of Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement  Agency led to the arrest of the cartel and three of the persons are already facing prosecution at Federal High Court in Kano’’

He noted that the Nigeria Diaspora Commission with the Zamfara State government delegation also participating in the prosecution.