The family of Chijioke Obioha, a Nigerian national convicted of and given the mandatory death sentence for possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking on December 30, 2008, have been informed that November 18 is Chijoke’s new execution date.

On April 9, 2007, Mr. Obioha was found in possession of more than 2.6 kilograms of cannabis, surpassing the statutory amount of 500 grams that under Singapore law triggers the automatic presumption of trafficking.

Also in his possession were keys to a room containing additional prohibited substances, leading the authorities to presume him guilty of possession and knowledge of the drugs.

Mr. Obioha’s appeal against his conviction and sentence was rejected in August 2010. Maintaining his innocence of the crime, he initially refused to make use of his right to resentencing which amendments to Singapore’s mandatory’s death penalty laws made in 2013 allowed for.

In Singapore, when there is a presumption of drug possession and trafficking, the burden of proof shifts to the defendant. This is a violation of fair trial rights, specifically the presumption of innocence.

After the rejection of his clemency appeal in April 2015, his execution was set for May 15, 2015. It was stayed a day earlier to allow him apply for resentencing. His family were only informed on October 25, 2016 that he had resolved to withdraw his application for resentencing earlier in the year, following legal advice that he would not qualify as “courier” under the amended laws.

Consequently, the Court of Appeal lifted the stay of execution with effect from October 24, resulting in the execution date to be set for November 18.

Mr. Obioha appealed once again for clemency for the President, who has the power to commute his death sentence.

“Chijioke Stephen Obioha graduated in Industrial Chemistry from Benin University in Nigeria. He moved to Singapore in 2005, seeking to join a football club. His family members, who currently live in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, have been unable to travel to visit and had limited ability to assist him. Throughout the duration of the proceedings, they have received sporadic and often delayed updates, including when a legal representative was removed from the case,” Amnesty International stated.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/215022-nigerian-executed-drug-trafficking.html

Waiting patiently for stereotypes games to begin.

Certain stories and topics here surely always bring out the hidden cobwebs and the worst of humanity on Nairaland.

Why allowing dem to spend so much time in jail and being punished too?

What in hell is wrong with our people. You know the consequences of drug trafficking in the country and people still do it. As sad as it is, some people deserve death penalty. Is the lure of money that good?.

Heroes shed no tears.....

No sympathy from me, if he is guilty then he should get those bullets

All this brutal laws (death penalty) for carrying drugs? what happen to 100 to 120 years imprisonment?

justwise:
No sympathy from me, if he is guilty then he should get those bullets

Sure.....let him harvest what he planted.....

[quote author=lindaayim


And they'll use the money you put in fixed deposit to feed him.

lindaayim:
All this brutal laws (death penalty) for carrying drugs? what happen to 100 to 120 years imprisonment?

Why waste money and other resources on him for that long time?

justwise:
No sympathy from me, if he is guilty then he should get those bullets

I agree with you. What's the problem with our guys and drug dealings. He deserves the death penalty. He could have transported that junk to Europe or US and if he get caught he would be jailed and deported back to Nigeria after serving his sentence. Why go to a country that kill people for drug trafficking ?. He deserves the death penalty.

@ Justwise you know life is precious and even though i'm not supporting the offence, life imprisonment would do. There is no point revenging with death. Moreover, life imprisonment seems more punishment than death penalty irrespective of how expensive it may seem.

justwise:


Why waste money and other resources on him for that long time?