Nigeria and Ethiopia have reached a landmark agreement that will allow more than 100 Nigerian prisoners serving sentences in Ethiopian correctional facilities to be transferred back home to complete their jail terms in Nigeria. The agreement, signed in Addis Ababa, marks a significant step in ongoing efforts by the Nigerian government to address the welfare of its citizens incarcerated abroad while strengthening diplomatic cooperation between both countries.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, announced the development after signing the bilateral Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement alongside the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
According to the minister, the arrangement will facilitate the repatriation of Nigerian inmates currently held in Ethiopia’s Kaliti Prison and Aba Samuel Prison. The agreement will allow eligible prisoners to serve the remainder of their sentences within Nigeria’s correctional system, closer to their families and support networks.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the agreement as a reflection of the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerians living abroad, including those who have encountered legal challenges in foreign countries.
She noted that the Nigerian delegation was received by senior Ethiopian government officials, including the country’s Foreign Minister and Chief of Protocol, ahead of the formal signing ceremony. The agreement is expected to pave the way for the gradual transfer of affected inmates in line with the legal and administrative procedures agreed upon by both nations.
The minister emphasized that the initiative is rooted in the principles of humanity, justice, and international cooperation. While encouraging Nigerians overseas to respect the laws of their host countries and uphold the nation’s reputation, she stressed that those who find themselves in conflict with the law still deserve to be treated with dignity and in accordance with established legal frameworks.
The urgency of the agreement was underscored by concerns over the conditions in some Ethiopian prisons. Odumegwu-Ojukwu revealed that four Nigerian inmates died during the lengthy negotiation and legal review process leading up to the agreement, highlighting the need for swift action.
For several years, the Nigerian government has been pursuing arrangements to secure the transfer of citizens serving prison sentences in Ethiopia. Concerns have repeatedly been raised about conditions in detention facilities, particularly at Kaliti Prison in Addis Ababa, where reports of overcrowding, inadequate medical care, and other humanitarian challenges have emerged.
The latest agreement follows directives from President Bola Tinubu, who earlier approved the deployment of a high-level delegation to Ethiopia to finalize negotiations and establish a legal framework for prisoner transfers between both countries.
Officials say the agreement represents a major breakthrough in diplomatic and humanitarian efforts aimed at ensuring that Nigerian inmates abroad are treated fairly while maintaining respect for the judicial processes of host nations.
Once implementation begins, the affected prisoners will be transferred to correctional facilities in Nigeria, where they will continue serving their sentences under Nigerian law. The move is expected to ease the burden on families who have struggled to maintain contact with loved ones detained thousands of kilometers away.
The development also reinforces Nigeria’s broader commitment to protecting its citizens abroad and ensuring that their rights are respected regardless of their circumstances.
As both countries move toward implementing the agreement, many families of the affected inmates are hopeful that the transfer process will bring relief, improve access to family support, and offer a more humane environment for those serving their remaining prison terms.
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