The Federal Government has vowed to support Dunchi Lar, a Nigerian woman who was sentenced to a year in prison in the United Arab Emirates, through its body, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).
As of the time this article was filed, Channels Television was unable to confirm reports that Lar was imprisoned for exposing the mistreatment of Nigerians at Dubai airports.
On August 31, Lar reportedly posted images and videos of herself and other individuals she claimed as Nigerians being held at the Dubai international airport on her Twitter feed.
However, according to a statement by NIDCOM's spokesman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Lar was found guilty of cybercrime in the UAE.
“Under the UAE cybercrime law, taking a video or photograph of someone without his/her consent and posting such on social media is an offence punishable with a one-year jail term or a fine between approximately $69,000 and $137,000, or both jail term and fine.
“Ms Lar made and tweeted the viral video of the UAE official at the airport. She was sentenced on the 12th of October and has 15 days to appeal the judgment. Ms Dunchi Lar can still appeal the ruling and has been assured of moral and consular support by the Nigerian mission in Dubai.”
“She was sentenced on the 12th of October and has 15 days to appeal the judgment. Ms Dunchi Lar can still appeal the ruling and has been assured of moral and consular support by the Nigerian Mission in Dubai.”