THE Federal Government of Nigeria and the Government of Ethiopia have concluded arrangements for a prisoner transfer agreement that will allow more than 100 Nigerians currently serving prison sentences in Ethiopia to be transferred back home.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, arrived in Addis Ababa alongside the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, for the signing of the agreement.
The Nigerian delegation was received by Ethiopia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and the country’s Chief of Protocol ahead of the formal signing ceremony, which was scheduled for Wednesday.
Speaking on the development, Odumegwu-Ojukwu revealed that four Nigerian inmates lost their lives during the lengthy negotiation process, which involved judicial reviews and ratification procedures.
“We cannot afford to lose any more precious lives. We are determined to bring home the living,” she stated.
The minister disclosed that the affected Nigerians are currently being held in Kaliti Prison and Aba Samuel Prison in Ethiopia.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the agreement as a reflection of the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and Ethiopia, built on humanitarian principles, justice, and bilateral cooperation.
She reiterated that while the Nigerian government continues to encourage citizens abroad to respect the laws of their host countries and uphold Nigeria’s image, it remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians facing legal challenges overseas receive fair treatment under established legal processes.
According to the minister, the welfare and protection of Nigerians living abroad remain a key priority of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
She also expressed appreciation to the Ethiopian government for its cooperation and support in making the prisoner transfer agreement possible.
Once implemented, the agreement is expected to enable the transfer of over 100 Nigerian inmates from Ethiopian correctional facilities to Nigeria, where they can continue serving their sentences under the Nigerian correctional system.
