By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has called on authorities in Mozambique to ensure due process in the case involving 42 Nigerian nationals reportedly arrested and detained in the country.
The commission made the demand following reports that the Nigerians were apprehended by the Serviço Nacional de Investigação Criminal (SERNIC). Authorities in Mozambique have reportedly denied detaining any other nationals apart from the 42 Nigerians.
In a statement issued by the Commission’s spokesman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the commission said it had yet to receive official communication explaining the reasons for the detention of the Nigerians, noting that even the Nigerian High Commission had not been formally notified.
According to the statement, claims by SERNIC that the Nigerian citizens were arrested for allegedly staying illegally in the country have not been officially confirmed.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the families of the detained Nigerians had been reaching out to the commission with distress calls, expressing deep concern over the welfare and condition of their loved ones.
“Their families have been reaching out with distress calls and are worried about the condition of their spouses,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
She further alleged that the detainees’ cell phones, personal belongings and money were confiscated at the time of their arrest.
According to her, the Nigerian Embassy in Mozambique has already taken diplomatic steps by writing to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Office of the Attorney General to seek clarification on the circumstances surrounding the arrests.
Dabiri-Erewa stressed that if the Nigerians were found to have committed any offence under Mozambican law, the authorities should formally charge them to court and make the allegations public.
“If indeed the Nigerians committed any offence, the authorities should formally charge them to a court of law, make the offence public or set them free rather than illegally detaining them,” she said.
She reiterated that while the Nigerian government does not support criminal activities by its citizens abroad, the rights of Nigerians must always be protected under international legal standards.
“The Nigerian government will not support any crime committed by any Nigerian in any country. However, no Nigerian should suffer for an offence they neither committed nor know the reason they are being detained,” she added.
Meanwhile, the list of Nigerians reportedly detained in Mozambique includes: Augustine Chukwuka Okeke, Maximus Anayo, Okechukwu Benjamin Eche, Anaerobi Ikenna Martins, Stephen Anayo Okongwe, Onwujewe Raymond, Chukwunazorom Donatus John, Aginam Chukwuenyem 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 Ufondu, 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 said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and engage relevant diplomatic channels to ensure that the rights of the detained Nigerians are protected and that due legal procedures are followed in resolving the matter.
