The Indonesian Immigration officials involved in the manhandling of a Nigerian Diplomat — Consular Officer — at the country’s Embassy in Capital Jakarta, on 7th of August, 2021 are currently facing trial, according to news reports by the Indonesian media.
The South Jakarta Immigration Office, made this disclosure while addressing a press conference. The office disclosed that the Immigration officials involved in the assault have been handed over to the Ministry of Law and Human Rights for investigation in accordance with rule of law and the Indonesian constitution.
Speaking further, the Directorate-General at the office also said he regretted the manhandling of the Nigerian diplomat by the immigration officials, saying it was an isolated incident as he said the Indonesian government remains committed to carrying out its obligations as a host country in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Meanwhile, a source in the diplomatic circle told The New Diplomat that “the Immigration Policemen broke the law by acting beyond their powers and abusing the diplomat. According to the news, they pleaded guilty as charged and are facing the law now.”
Spokesman, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Teuku Faizasyah, while addressing a press conference also confirmed that the incident is now being investigated by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. However, he did not provide further details on the investigations.
The spokesman also said the Ministry has since apologized and established a good relation with its Nigerian counterpart since the incident occurred.
Recall that a Nigerian Diplomat was assaulted inside a car by three immigration officials on Saturday, 7th August, 2021, in front of his official quarters in Jakarta, suffering excruciating pains in the hands of his tormentors as seen in a chilling video.
In his reaction, Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama had described the treatment of the consular officer by officials in Jakarta as “totally unacceptable and unfortunate.”
The August 7 incident had since sparked a diplomatic saga between Nigeria and the Indonesian authorities with the Federal Government recalling its Ambassador to Indonesia for consultation, while threatening a review of the bilateral relations between the two nations.
It would be recalled the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Usra Harahap, who met with Onyeama, in his explanation had claimed that the diplomat was uncooperative, alleging that he attacked the immigration officials. He also claimed the Nigerian diplomat failed to show his identification documents during a routine surveillance checks on foreigners in South Jakarta, leading to an altercation and the assault on him that followed.
