Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has appointed Ibrahim Ibrahim as his Senior Special Assistant, after securing his release from Saudi Arabia’s prison where he was detained Arabia for three years over allegation of drug trafficking to the kingdom.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Mr Ibrahim, who travelled to Saudi Arabia for a lesser Hajj, was arrested in 2017 by the Saudi authorities over alleged possession of a bag suspected to contain illicit drugs.
After being subjected to three year legal battle, Mr Ibrahim finally regained his freedom, following the intervention of the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Zamfara State Government and Nigeria’s Consulate-General office in Jeddah.
Disclosing the appointment on Tuesday, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Zailani Bappa, in a statement, said the Mr Matawalle received the freed cleric at the government house shortly after his arrival into the county.
According to Mr Bappa, “it was an emotional reception when Governor Matawalle handed him over to his waiting family who had their hearts in their mouths for nearly four years as their loved one cooled his feet in a Saudi Arabia gaol awaiting death sentence”.
“Governor Matawalle, who announced the appointment of Hafeez Ibrahim as one of his Senior Special Assistants, assured that his administration will continue to fight for the rights of citizens of the state wherever they are.
“He said that the travail of Hafeez Ibrahim is a lesson to all especially international travellers to be vigil and extra-careful, especially with their luggage,” the statement added.
