Nigeria, Ethiopia seal agreement to transfer 100 Nigerian prisoners

The Federal Government has entered into an agreement with the Government of Ethiopia to repatriate over 100 Nigerian prisoners currently serving sentences in Ethiopian correctional facilities back to Nigeria.

This information was revealed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in a post on her official X account on Wednesday.

She stated that the agreement, which was signed in conjunction with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, aims to facilitate the return of Nigerian inmates held in Kaliti Prison and Aba Samuel Prison in Ethiopia.

"In Addis Ababa to sign a significant agreement with the Ethiopian government, alongside AGF HM Lateef Fagbemi, to transfer over 100 Nigerian prisoners currently suffering in their prisons, specifically the Kaliti and Aba Samuel Prisons, back to Nigeria," she noted.

According to her, this arrangement is a bilateral Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement between the two nations.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu mentioned that upon their arrival in Addis Ababa, the delegation was welcomed by Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chief of Protocol prior to the signing ceremony.

She emphasized that the agreement demonstrates President Bola Tinubu’s administration's commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians living abroad.

The minister also pointed out that four Nigerian prisoners had passed away during the lengthy negotiation and legal vetting process, highlighting the urgency of this agreement.

She indicated that efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe return of the affected Nigerians, while also urging citizens abroad to adhere to the laws of their host countries.

"The Agreement we sign today is founded on the principles of humanity, justice, and cooperation between our two nations.

"We continue to urge our citizens residing and traveling abroad to adhere to the laws of their host nations and to maintain the esteemed reputation of our country. At the same time, we are dedicated to ensuring that individuals who encounter legal issues are treated with respect and granted their rights as per the relevant legal frameworks," she remarked.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu further emphasized the government's dedication to ensuring that Nigerians incarcerated in foreign prisons are treated with respect and in accordance with international legal standards.

Nigeria has been actively working to facilitate the repatriation of nearly 300 citizens currently serving prison sentences in Ethiopia, in light of the deteriorating conditions in detention facilities such as Kaliti Prison in Addis Ababa.

Tinubu had previously sent a high-level delegation to Ethiopia, which included Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Fagbemi, to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the transfer of sentenced individuals.

The anticipated agreement is designed to enable the affected Nigerians to serve the remainder of their sentences in Nigerian correctional institutions.

This initiative was prompted by concerns regarding the poor conditions in Ethiopian prisons, which include overcrowding, insufficient medical care, and reported fatalities among inmates.

Officials acquainted with the directive indicated that the urgency was motivated by the worsening conditions experienced by Nigerian prisoners, many of whom are detained at Kaliti Prison in Addis Ababa.