President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerian inmates held in Ethiopian correctional facilities that his administration has not abandoned them, following the signing of a prisoner transfer agreement between both countries.
The assurance was delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during a visit to Nigerian inmates at the Aba Samuel Prison in Ethiopia on Thursday, June 11.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also announced the activation of a Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement recently concluded between Nigeria and Ethiopia, describing it as part of the Tinubu administration’s citizen-centred diplomacy under the 4-D foreign policy framework.
She said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to Diplomacy, Democracy, Development and Demography, noting that it was driven by concerns for the welfare and rights of Nigerians abroad.
“Your country will not desert you… your President knows you are here,” she told the inmates, conveying President Tinubu’s message of reassurance.
According to her, the negotiations leading to the agreement took time due to legal and judicial vetting processes, during which at least four Nigerian inmates reportedly died before the deal was finalised.
The minister stressed that while the federal government remains committed to protecting Nigerians abroad, citizens must also respect the laws of host countries to avoid legal troubles.
“This is not a licence for impunity,” she warned, urging Nigerians overseas to maintain good conduct and uphold the country’s image.
She added that inmates willing to return must give formal consent to enable documentation and smooth repatriation processes, as required under international correctional protocols.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu further encouraged the prisoners to embrace rehabilitation, adding that the government would support capacity building and skills acquisition programmes to help reintegration upon return.
“Don’t travel these routes again. First time lucky, second time you don’t know where it’s going,” she cautioned.
On his part, a representative of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Assistant Controller General (Operations), Aminu Yusuf, assured the inmates of proper reception arrangements upon their return to Nigeria.
He said they would first be received at Kuje Correctional Centre before further administrative procedures, including relocation closer to their families where necessary.
“Once we receive you in Kuje, all other formalities, documentation and relocations will follow,” he said.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while his Ethiopian counterpart represented Ethiopia at the ceremony held in Addis Ababa.
The agreement is expected to facilitate the transfer of about 100 Nigerian prisoners currently serving various jail terms in Ethiopia, particularly in Aba Samuel and Kaliti prisons.
Officials say about 98 inmates may benefit from the arrangement, including two women, provided they consent and have at least one year left to serve.
There were emotional scenes at the prison during the visit, as inmates sang praises of President Tinubu, the foreign affairs minister, and their legal representative, Abumchukwu Okoye, expressing hope of returning home soon.
A spokesperson for the inmates commended the Federal Government for securing the agreement and pledged that they would maintain good conduct if repatriated.
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