The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja has said that all legal and judicial procedures were followed regarding the execution of a Nigerian widowed mother of two, Kudirat Afolabi, who was executed after her conviction for drug trafficking.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the embassy, in a statement, noted that death sentence is only carried out after all proofs and legal evidence have been exhausted regarding the accused person.
Specifically on Afolabi, the Saudi embassy reaffirmed that all legal and judicial procedures were followed regarding the accused person and she was accorded every legal right before the death sentence was carried out on her.
“The death sentence is only carried out in the Kingdom after all proofs and legal evidence have been exhausted regarding the accused, and the process goes through various legal stages until the allegations against the detained persons have been proven beyond reasonable doubt.
“Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs was always in consultation with foreign embassies and consulates in the Kingdom and facilitated visits from nationals of detainees,” the statement read in part.
The embassy also reiterated that the penalty for drug trafficking is the death sentence and that it is applicable to all persons convicted without any exceptions.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not neglect the enforcement of penalties in terms of matters of drug trafficking and is determined to apply the law on any person against whom evidence is established in order to combat drug trafficking and protect its citizens from this dangerous menace.”
(NAN)
