3 Nigerian Women Acquitted Of Drug Trafficking Charges In Saudi Arabia After 10 Months In Prison

Three Nigerian women, Hadiza Abba, Fatima Umate Malah, and Fatima Kannai Gamboi, charged with drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia, have been acquitted.

The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, acting spokesperson for the ministry announced in a statement on Sunday, citing prolonged diplomatic and legal efforts.

The women were detained on March 5, 2024 at Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Azeez International Airport, Madinah.

Their arrest followed the seizure of 80 capsules of cocaine weighing 900.28 grams and 70 capsules weighing 789.5 grams from two other Nigerian nationals. The trio was accused of abetting the trafficking of narcotics.

The statement said, “The arrest of the three women was a result of the earlier arrest of two Nigerian nationals who were found in possession of 80 capsules of Cocaine weighing 900.28 gm and 70 capsules of Cocaine weighing 789.5gm, respectively.

“The women were detained by the Saudi authorities on suspicion of being accomplices and abating the trafficking of the banned substance found on the aforementioned arrested Nigerians.”

“The Ministry wishes to recall that the trio’s arrest attracted much attention in the Saudi Arabia and Nigeria,” it added.

After their acquittal, they were handed over to Nigeria’s Consulate-General in Jeddah, where Ambassador Muazam Nayaya received them.

They are currently completing immigration processes to return home and reunite with their families.

“Their successful release was achieved after prolonged diplomatic and legal engagements, which culminated in their discharge and acquittal, as well as subsequent handover to the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Jedda,” it said.

“The ladies were received by Ambassador Muazam Nayaya, the Honourable Consul-General of Nigeria in Jeddah and currently awaiting relevant immigration processes for their return to Nigeria to reunite with their families.”