CSO Laments Dehumanisation Of Nigerians In Malaysia

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A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations has raised the alarm over alleged raid, harassment, intimidation and molestation of Nigerians living in Malaysia, by the Malaysian Police.

It accused the Malaysian police of setting up Nigerians living in Malaysia and getting them to face death sentences for alleged offences not committed by them, if they failed to pay a bribe.

The convener of the coalition, Sunday Attah, accused the Nigerian High Commission of not doing enough to protect Nigerians.

“For example, a Nigerian was set up in Sarawak by Malaysian police, took him off with handcuffs, then placed him on the back of a police van, searched his car in a dark basement in the absence of the guy, then came out to say that a drug was found on his car that he should pay 150,000 Malaysian Ringgit to get his freedom but when the guy failed to reach the demand as we talk now, the boy has been sentenced to death by hanging by a court in Sarawak Malaysia.

‘This very act by the Malaysian government and police is one too many, it is gradually demonstrating its penchant for impunity, racism, disregard for the international rule of law and professionalism,” he said.

Attah cited the case of another Nigerian, Alowonle Gilbert, whom he said was wrongly accused of killing a Malaysian nurse, Miss Siti Kharina, by the Malaysian police.

“The commission had promised to follow up with the case by getting a lawyer to defend Alowonle Oluwajuwon Gilbert at the Sepang Court Selangor, Malaysia, but to our greatest surprise, the Nigerian High Commission didn’t show up; no attorney to stand for Gilbert when the case was mentioned at the court.

“As we speak, the young man is facing a death sentence or life imprisonment. We have so many similar and pending issues in Malaysia, despite that, the commission had looked the other way.”

At the press briefing were Executive Secretary, Centre for Civil Justice, Isaac Ikpa; representative of Nigerian Youth Parliament, Ibrahim  Dallah and Abuja Liaison Officer of Northern Youth Council, Yusuf Yahuza.

Attah appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to activate bilateral relations between the two countries to ensure justice and to caution officials of the commission.

“The lack of civility and unprofessional manner the Malaysian police always raid the condominiums where Nigerians live in Malaysia is as if there is no any bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Malaysia as a country.

‘As a matter of fact, the way Malaysian police are accusing, killing, extorting, assaulting, intimidating and harassing Nigerians every day is surprising, shocking, and unbelievable; it makes mockery of us as the giant of Africa,” he added.

The coalition warned that if any swift action was not taken within seven days, it might have no choice but give the Malaysian Embassy in Nigeria a seven-day ultimatum to close down its embassy in Nigeria.

But reacting, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the commission had already waded in the cases to ensure justice.

She, however, expressed concerns about the “worrisome” level of Nigerians dealing in drugs in Malaysia.

“The number of Nigerians allegedly dealing with drugs in Malaysia is worrisome. While the embassy will look into this case as it has others, we must admonish the few Nigerians in crime to stop it as the act of a few is tarnishing the image of others.

“Subsequently, all drug-related issues will have to be referred to Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency while trafficking issues will be for National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons,” she stated.

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