Nigerian lady, Itunu Babalola, ‘wrongfully jailed’ in Côte d’Ivoire, ‘dies in prison’

0

Itunu Babalola, a Nigerian incarcerated in Côte d’Ivoire on charges of human trafficking, has reportedly died in prison.

Babalola reportedly got entangled in a legal battle when she reported to the police that her house in Bondoukou, Cote d’Ivoire, had been burgled.

She was said to have been charged to court and the prosecutor in collaboration with the police allegedly compromised the case and accused her of human trafficking.

Babalola was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The sentence was later reduced to 10 years.

On March 14, David Hundeyin, a journalist, had posted Babalola’s story on Twitter. The post went viral and eventually gained the attention of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, NIDCOM chief executive officer, in a statement, had confirmed the report at the time, saying the commission was doing all it can to secure the release of Babalola.

Yesterday, Hundeyin, who had been following the case, gave updates on Twitter that Babalola had contracted an infection in prison and was dying.

Another user, @silazkings tweeted