Tobias Sylvester
The Government of Saudi Arabia has justified the execution of a Nigerian woman, Kudirat Afolabi, for drug-related offenses, saying “she deserved to be executed.”
The Nigerian government had condemned the execution of Afolabi, a widow and mother of two, who was beheaded in Mecca on Monday by the Saudi authorities.
The Nigerian government described her killing as pathetic, tragic and sad and pleaded with the authorities of Saudi Arabia to ensure that innocent people do not suffer in drug offenses trial in the country.
In reaction, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Adnan Bostaji, stated that the punishment was deservedly meted out on the Nigerian woman because she was found guilty of violating the Sharia law.
According to him, drug trafficking was not permitted in the Saudi Kingdom. He said:
“Saudi Arabia is following Sharia law and anyone who violates the law by bringing drugs into Saudi Arabia will be punished by the law.
“This is because we want to save our society from drugs. So, if we don’t impose our Sharia law on these guilty people we may not save our society. The law is for all people in Saudi Arabia and not only for Saudi citizens.”
He stated that Nigeria and his country has enjoyed cordial diplomatic relations, adding that no one could feign ignorance of the law as all visitors to the Kingdom were made to sign an undertaking not to bring drugs to the country before obtaining a Saudi visa.
