Indonesia: Nigerian man executed for cannabis trafficking

In April 2007, Chijioke Stephen Obioha was arrested in Indonesia with 2.6 kilos of cannabis. In November 2008, he was sentenced to death for drug trafficking. He was executed today despite Amnesty International's appeals.

8 years on death row

In 8 years, this graduate chemist from Benin City University has never been able to contact his family. Although his relatives, Nigeria and other NGOs are calling for a presidential pardon, President Joko Widodo has remained adamant. Chijoke was executed this morning at 6am.

Death for drug trafficking or possession

This case joins that of Frenchman Serge Atlaoui, also sentenced to death in Indonesia. Although his sentence was postponed on appeal, he remains stuck on death row. Today, 14 people are awaiting execution for drug trafficking in Indonesian jails.

Increasingly, authoritarian political systems punish drug traffickers, making an example of them. If the trafficker is a foreigner, it's almost «even better». You can kill without hurting public opinion in your own country.

Let's not forget the thousands of people executed in the streets of the Philippines, without trial. The mad president Rodrigo Dutertre has declared open season on drug traffickers. This means that anyone can legally kill a drug dealer in the Philippines. The death toll has already risen to over 3,000 in just a few months.

The question of the death penalty may arise when the trafficker is also a murderer. But should one die for selling an illegal substance? The worst part of this story is that Chijoke Stephen Obioha was executed «only» for possession of cannabis. There was no evidence of trafficking. Convicted and executed because he exceeded the tolerance limit of 500 grams of cannabis.

Of course, we urge globetrotters to make sure they are properly informed about the drug policies of the countries they visit. Recent history shows that an embassy does not always have the power to bring its citizens back to safety.