The Chairperson, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has blamed Itunu Babalola, the Nigerian lady who died in an Ivorian prison, for reporting her plight to the Nigerian Commission in Ivory Coast late.

Dabiri-Erewa said this during an interview on The Morning Show programme of Arise TV, which was monitored by our correspondent, stating that Itunu had spent two years in jail before the matter was reported.

She said, “She did not inform the mission about the trial. She had spent two years in jail, then her father cried out for help.

“Perhaps, when she had issues with the burglar and policeman that was changing the case and reported to the Mission, maybe it would have been a different story.”

The former member of the House of Representatives, however, stated that the Nigerian Ambassador to Ivory Coast, Martin Adamu, immediately swung into action after the matter came to his knowledge.

Dabiri-Erewa stated that the Ivorian prosecutor said the victim should not be in jail.

She said, “But as soon as the Ambassador got to know about it they immediately took action. First, they went to see her when she was in prison, somewhere outside Abidjan and got a lawyer.

“They also got money together for the lawyer to even begin the case. And the money was raised within the Nigerian community and the Nigerian Mission quickly.

“The lawyer gave an assurance that it was a case for an appeal. In fact, the prosecutor made it clear that the girl (Itunu) shouldn’t be in jail.”

Babalola’s case became public in March 2021, after a journalist, David Hundeyin shared her story on Twitter.

The 21-year-old from Oyo State was a trader based in Bondoukou, Cote d’Ivoire when her apartment was burgled by an Ivorian in September 2019.

She landed in jail after refusing a settlement from an Ivorian police officer on the burgled items.

Unfortunately, Babalola died on Sunday, 14 November, after reportedly contracting an infection in prison.

Dabiri-Erewa added that the deceased was not involved in human trafficking despite using the name ‘Becky Paul’ while in Ivory Coast.

“We wouldn’t know because she is dead now, maybe she was afraid. But whatever the case, she was not involved in human trafficking,” she said.

Treasure17:
And yet you could not secure her release within the time frame you were notified. Ridiculous excuses just to exonerate themselves from the blame. The Abike dabiri before power exchanged hands has disappeared and the version stearing at us is apathetic.

princdebola201:
French colonies re strict with their laws. There was nothing they could do than to appeal the judgement since she was already sent to jail..
If she was still standing trial it would have been different ball game

Xhuntra:


Mister man shut that gutter u call mouth if u have nothing to say.

princdebola201:
lalasticlala mynd44 seun

Dyke15:
Why re u reporting him?
Coz he told u the truth?
They even hurriedly assisted one of their own from Saudi Arabia ND made her an NDLEA officer even when she was sentenced to death
Na even one or ur own wey die according to ur monicker
WHEN SOUTH GO EVERLY GET SENSE?

princdebola201:
the saudi lady was not convicted yet.
It is quite different from someone that was convicted and already served 2 years in jail

Abike has helped hundreds of southerners especially the ones stuck in Libya and Asia.

But it is fine to crucify her for a case that has gone bad before she was notified

princdebola201:
the saudi lady was not convicted yet.
It is quite different from someone that was convicted and already served 2 years in jail

Abike has helped hundreds of southerners especially the ones stuck in Libya and Asia.

But it is fine to crucify her for a case that has gone bad before she was notified

Dyke15:
Before she was notified?
Bruh gete conscience na abeg
Even if Abike na ur hanty or u re an assistant to her ba, I will tell u d bitter truth
No matter d peanuts or whatever u get from her just to defend her, I will refer u to Sani Dangote's burial picture
Just go take a look at dat and u will see for yourself dat he left back with nothing in as much as he can employ both u ND ur Abike ND pay u both for life
This particular girls case has been on since March nd u re here telling urself coz definitely am not the one u re telling dat, dat ur hanty Abike no dey aware since then till now?
Aboi better wash off ur hands for this girl case like Pontius Pilate coz her death will definitely hunt both the perpetrators and those that ingnored her and their sympatiszers