By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Following the death of a young Nigerian trader, Usama Murtala, after his incarceration at MACA prison in Abidjan, the Federal Government has pressed the Ivorian authorities to launch a full-scale inquiry and transparent probe into the circumstances surrounding his death and the detention of six Nigerian traders.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the demand on Friday during a meeting with the Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, over the circumstances surrounding the traders’ detention and Murtala’s death.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed this in a post on her official X handle on Saturday.
She said the Federal Government also sought to know why its embassy in Côte d’Ivoire was not informed of the traders’ arrest and detention.
She added that the delay denied officials the necessary diplomatic intervention that might have saved the life of the deceased and also prevented timely consular assistance for the detained Nigerians.
The traders, Aliyu Malami, Sa’adu Bello, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Lyman Mohammed and the late Usama Murtala , had travelled to Côte d’Ivoire on a trading mission but spent almost a year in MACA prison without charge or trial.
While the five surviving traders eventually regained their freedom after diplomatic interventions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire, Murtala, however, died shortly after his release, bringing a tragic end to a journey that began as a business trip.
The minister said the traders were unable to communicate effectively because of language barriers and had no access to legal representation in the French-speaking country.
She said Nigeria was also demanding compensation for Murtala’s family, the return of the traders’ phones, money and other belongings allegedly seized during their arrest.
She initiated an undertaking that future arrests or detention of Nigerians would be promptly communicated to the Nigerian Embassy.
“The Government of Nigeria will keep pushing for justice in this matter for the families concerned,” she declared.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged the Ivorian authorities to ensure Nigerian nationals in the country are treated with dignity.
In his response, Amb. Traore expressed profound apologies and condolences to Murtala’s family and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He described the incident as regrettable and pledged to convey Nigeria’s concerns and demands to the authorities in Abidjan as soon as possible.
The Federal Government said it would continue engaging with the Ivorian authorities until issues relating to accountability, compensation, the return of the traders’ property and improved consular notification procedures are fully addressed.
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