Kemisola Oye
IN a heartfelt plea for intervention, the family members of Mr Abdul Olatunji, a Nigerian citizen currently imprisoned in South Africa have called on the Nigerian government, the Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to intervene and save his life over what has been described as false and malicious charges orchestrated by unscrupulous South African state agents.
According to an SOS by Mr. Abdul’s family through Mr Ben Abraham, founder of Zarephath Aid, an international criminal justice advocacy organisation, the successful businessman and humanitarian is in imminent danger in a South African prison, where he has been held since 2019.
They said the case of xenophobia, judicial corruption, and alleged state-sanctioned persecution against Abdul has been the lot of Mr Abdul since his ordeal started, resulting in the sudden death of their mother, no thanks to the trauma she went through as a result of the cas
They called for the Nigerian government’s swift action to immediately prevent the death of the Nigerian who had spent years contributing to the wellbeing of his fellow citizens abroad before his ordeal started. “If the Nigerian government does not intervene, a citizen who has consistently brought glory to Nigeria and enhanced the lives of Nigerians in South Africa may die any moment from now. He would have been killed by South African rogue agents.”
Mr Abdul Olatunji, originally from Osun State, has lived in South Africa since 2009, where he became a prominent figure in the hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors in the rainbow nation. As the founder and CEO of Hydro Club, a leading hospitality consultancy firm in Johannesburg, Abdul Olatunji has employed and assisted countless Nigerian businesses, students, and tourists, establishing himself as a key figure in the Nigerian diaspora community.
However, his rise to success has led to his being targeted by a group of xenophobic South African business competitors and corrupt state officials.
In 2019, these forces allegedly initiated a scheme, called “#DestroyAbdul,” aimed at destroying his reputation and business ventures.
The petition outlines a series of alleged abuses that followed, including wrongful arrest, denial of bail, and coerced confessions.
Abdul was eventually sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges of theft, a charge that his supporters claim was fabricated.
Despite being granted leave to appeal his sentence in November 2024, Abdul is said to be facing more convoluted challenges as his efforts to secure legal representation for his appeal have been thwarted, with multiple lawyers withdrawing from the case due to threats and intimidation from South African authorities.
His legal struggle continues under dire circumstances as he is forced to represent himself in court.
The family further reveals that Abdul Olatunji is enduring physical and emotional trauma in prison, with fears mounting that he could be poisoned.
“His health has understandably deteriorated, and even his personal laptop, which was allowed for legal preparation, has been confiscated under orders from higher authorities.
“This is not just about one man,” said the founder of Zarephath Aid, the group advocating for Abdul Olatunji’s release. “This is a call for Nigeria to protect one of its own, a shining example of what Nigerians can achieve in the diaspora. Abdul is not a criminal — he is a victim of a deliberate plan to destroy him.”
Meanwhile, concerns have continued to grow over Abdul Olatunji’s safety, as well as calls on both the Nigerian and South African governments to intervene as soon as possible.
The Nigerian government has been urged to take a stand, not only for Abdul but for all Nigerians who contribute positively abroad but are subjected to unjust persecution. “We cannot afford to lose a son, a father, a contributor to the diaspora, and above all, a human being. Nigeria must act now”, Mr Ben Abraham stressed.
Eighteen-Eleven Media