Ripples over hanging of Nigerian teenager in Singapore
TUNDE AKINGBADE
Posted to the Web: Sunday, January 28, 2007
THE authorities in Singapore, Friday, hanged a 19-year-old Nigerian Iwuchukwu Amara Tochi, under questionable and controversial circumstances. The teenager was said to have had on his person some quantities of hard drug when he was arrested in Singapore. He was not alone in the matter that eventually made him to pay the supreme price. Another African was hanged along with him. But, a South African, who was also sentenced to death by the Singaporeans along with Amara Tochi over drug related issues had his sentence reversed, following the intervention of President Thabo Mbeki who appealed to the authorities in Singapore to temper justice with mercy. For weeks, Amara Tochi stood trial over the drug matter after he was alleged to have been found with 727.3 grammes of heroin which was punishable by death under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1973 of Singapore.
Aside from that the article does shift some of the blame of Tochi's death to the Nigerian government.
However, there are ample reasons for the Nigerian government, the Ministry of Information and National Orientation Agency (NOA) to educate Nigerian citizens about countries that operate primitive laws and generally ask them to avoid such countries like plagues no matter the economic benefits therein and technological advancement.
Such references to Mbeki in the first extract do give the existence of a third person credibility. Can anyone clarify this matter.
1 comment:
> [T]here are ample reasons for the Nigerian government, the Ministry of Information and National Orientation Agency (NOA) to educate Nigerian citizens about countries that operate primitive laws and generally ask them to avoid such countries like plagues no matter the economic benefits therein and technological advancement. <
Now that's just being plain silly.
That is like saying "avoid Nigeria because that's where the Internet Scam Spam comes from."
Every country has its embarrassing aspects of culture, and every state is a big fat lie anyway. (see 1. 11: The New Idol)
The WISE thing to do is to appeal to the LONG-TERM self-interest of the citizens, and tell them that under no circumstances is it alright to bring illegal drugs into SE Asia.
Sentences are mandatory in many territories. Why risk it? The price if paid in full is outrageously "expensive".
Even though "the laws are an ass" when it comes to execution, the best thing to do is not to break the law in the first place.
To the guy who escaped the hangman's noose (assuming that this report is true): Consider yourself LUCKY. Forget about all the diplomatic interventions and appeals.
The Singapore Justice System doesn't have any qualms about killing people involved in the illegal drug trade.
Law enforcement agencies from every country in the region cooperate with each other. The Australian Federal Police even dobbed in Australian drug mules in Bali. Now Australia doesn't have a death penalty for drugs, but Indonesia does. Draw your own conclusion.
When an Austraslian newspaper conducted a poll on the death penalty for drug dealing, half the respondents supported the idea of capital punishment.
“I do not see why man should not be just as cruel as nature” — Adolf Hitler
Seige Heil!
PAP Überalles!
The people get the government they deserve.
Whatever the political or cultural or "moral" case may be, folks — parents, kids, travelers, money-hungry opportunists please heed the warnings:
DON'T CARRY ILLEGAL DRUGS, ESPECIALLY TO SOUTH EAST ASIA!
Post a Comment