The family of a Nigerian, Olatunji Abdul in a South African prison facility has called on the Nigerian government to urgently intervene and save his life over what has been described as false and malicious charges orchestrated by South African state agents.
The call was also made to the Chairperson of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
The appeal was made known on Thursday at a press conference held in Ikeja, Lagos through their lawyer Mr. Ben Abraham, founder of Zarephath Aid, an international criminal justice group.
Mr. Sesan Abdul, a brother to the businessman said that his brother is facing imminent danger in a South African prison, where he has been held since 2019.
According to him, 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.
His sibling explained that as the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro Club, a leading hospitality consultancy in Johannesburg, Olatunji has employed and assisted countless Nigerian businesses, students, and tourists, establishing himself as a key figure in the Nigerian diaspora community.
He claimed that Olatunji’s rise to success has led to his being targeted by a group of xenophobic South African business competitors and corrupt state officials.
According to him, in 2019, these forces allegedly initiated a scheme, called “#DestroyAbdul,” aimed at destroying his reputation and business ventures.
He informed that they had petitioned the authorities on a series of legal 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 further 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 claimed that Olatunji is enduring physical and emotional trauma in prison, with fears mounting that he could be poisoned.
“His health has deteriorated, and even his personal laptop, which was allowed for legal preparation, has been confiscated under orders from higher authorities,” Mr. Abdul claimed.
“This is not just about one man,” said founder of Zarephath Aid, the group advocating for 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.”
Concerns have continue to grow on Olatunji’s safety, as well as calls on both the Nigerian and South African governments to intervene immediately.
The Nigerian government has been urged to take a stand, not only for Abdul but for all Nigerians who contribute positively abroad and face 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.”
Petition on behalf Olatunji Abdul
The Chairman,
Senate Committee On Diaspora & Non-Governmental Organizations
National Assembly Complex, Three Arms Zone
Abuja, FCT.
ATTN: Distinguished Senator Victor Umeh
A BONA FIDE RESOURCEFUL AND HARDWORKING NIGERIAN IN THE DIASPORA IS ABOUT TO BE KILLED BY STATE FORCES IN SOUTH AFRICA;
NIGERIA MUST INTERVENE NOW!!!
If the Nigerian Government DOES NOT do anything, a Nigerian citizen who has legitimately brought glory to Nigeria and consistently enhanced the lives of Nigerians in South Africa will die any moment from now. HE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BY SOUTH AFRICAN ROGUE AGENTS. Therefore, the TIME to act is NOW! That is why this SOS is coming to you.
Distinguished Senator Sir, your office is called upon to save MR ABDUL OLATUNJI now! HE MUST NOT DIE!
KEY POINTS TO NOTE:
Mr ABDUL OLATUNJI (ABDUL)a bonafide Nigerian citizen from Osun State has been in South Africa since 2009, and due to a dint of hard work he has employed and assisted hundreds of Nigerian Businesses, business people, students and Nigerian tourists.
ABDUL, until the time he was maliciously and viciously arrested and clamped into police custody was the founder and CEO of HYDRO CLUB, a hospitality, travel and tourism consultancy outfit which won awards as the biggest hospitality outfit in South Africa, based in Revonia Santon, Johannesburg; through which ABDUL has given succour to hundreds of Nigerians.
In 2019, because of his rising profile and competitive edge commonly seen in Nigerian business people in the diaspora, the xenophobic South African business competitors, allied with rogue State Security and police agents and judiciary officials, hatched a sadistic program tagged ‘#DESTROYABDUL’, which from video and audio recordings we were privileged to obtain is a wicked plan to eliminate ABDUL, a shining star and the pride of Nigeria in south Africa for the sole reason that he is Nigerian and he dared to dream.
ABDUL’s ORDEAL since 2019;
He was arrested for an offence he did not commit,
Clamped into police custody for almost 1 year,
Refused administrative bail at the police Department,
Was eventually charged with theft, a COMPLETELY false, trumped up and nebulous allegation in charge No (SCCC110/2019)
Was arraigned at the Magistrate court in Palm Ridge Court, Johannesburg presided over by Magistrate EMMANUEL MAGAMKPA.
The court refused him bail in furtherance of the ganged up plan by the State.
Based on his goodwill and contacts which he had garnered over the years, he got more than 10 lawyers to defend him as constitutionally required but each of the lawyers recused themselves citing STRONG INTERFERENCE AND THREAT FROM ‘ABOVE’
In particular, each of the lawyers named one CAPTAIN OSCAR WILLIAMS MOPEDI (now Colonel) as the hatchet man and enforcer of the South African State grand plan to eliminate ABDUL. He is the Investigating Officer (IO).
A co-accused defendant Mr. SIPHOSIHLE SITHOLE who was charged with ABDUL was granted bail and later released after a plea bargain agreement.
SITHOLE did a video which further CONFIRMED that ABDUL was innocent of the entire charge but a victim of a grand plan.
ABDUL was, against his will and constitutional right, given a lawyer who, still in execution of the ‘#DESTROYABDUL’ grand plan, led him to accept a plea bargain agreement in which he ABDUL would plead guilty and get a 5-year sentence (to serve 3 years). This lawyer worked in cahoots with the prosecutors – RONEL DOOKUN, MICHAEL MASEULE and FRANS MHLONGO.
ABDUL accepted the agreement, signed it, pleaded guilty in court but was sentenced to 15 YEARS IN PRISON! Date – 8th July 2022.
ABDUL wants to appeal the sentence and on Wednesday 5th November 2024, he was granted leave to appeal to the High Court, BUT;
NO LAWYER IS ALLOWED TO APPEAR FOR ABDUL OR HANDLE HIS APPEAL.
He now appears in court for HIMSELF.
NOTE FURTHER THAT;
While ABDUL was fighting to defend himself of the charge of theft, ANOTHER CHARGE WAS FILED AGAINST HIM.
NO LAWYER IS ALLOWED TO DEFEND HIM IN THIS NEW CHARGE TOO.
The new charge is also a spurious allegation concocted by the South African State Agents to ‘#DESTROYABDUL’
All EFFORTS in South Africa to raise awareness of ABDUL’s ordeal was resisted with threats by the rogue police agents.
AND THE REAL AND IMMINENT FEAR IS;
ABDUL COULD BE POISONED IN PRISON!
He is wary of eating prison food and because of the extreme restrictions which affect his well-being, ABDUL is now traumatized and physically emaciated.
Even in prison, his laptop which was officially allowed for him to use and prepare his defence, has been confiscated on orders from above.
FINALLY, ABDUL A NIGERIAN STAR IS LANGUISHING IN PRISON CUSTODY IN JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA, HELD BY THE STATE IN EXECUTION OF ‘#DESTROYABDUL’ GRAND PLAN.
NIGERIA COULD LOSE A SON, AN INVESTOR, A CONTRIBUTOR TO DIASPORA REMITTANCES, A KEY ALLY FOR NIGERIANS IN SOUTH AFRICA, A FATHER, SON, NEPHEW, BROTHER, FRIEND, COLLEAGUE, A GENTLE SOUL AND ABOVE ALL A HUMAN BEING.
Not every Nigerian in the diaspora is a thief, criminal or outlaw. So many are doing great things bringing pride to the fatherland.
Nigeria should come to the aid of such Nigerians.
NIGERIA SHOULD COME TO THE AID OF ABDUL OLATUNJI. We still remain the giant of Africa and we should indeed throw our weight in this VERY SAD CASE.
Thank you for your invaluable services and interventions for Nigerians in the diaspora.
RELEVANT CONTACTS FOR ABDUL;
MR ABDUL SESAN – 08184160976
Yours Faithfully,
FOR: ZAREPHATH AID
BEN C. ABRAHAM, LLB, BL, LLM.
FOUNDER, ZAREPHATH AID
(INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE GROUP)
