By Abdulahmeed Abdulrozaq Bilal | Fact Frontier.Click here to read more about the reporter.
The governments of Nigeria and Ethiopia have finalized a prisoner transfer agreement that will allow Nigerian citizens convicted and imprisoned in Ethiopia to return home and complete their sentences in Nigeria.
This decision follows a directive from President Bola Tinubu, who acted after receiving reports that Nigerian inmates in Ethiopian detention facilities were facing harsh conditions, including overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, and poor nutrition. Official sources have confirmed that four Nigerian prisoners died while in Ethiopian custody during the period that the agreement was being negotiated and ratified.
The finalized agreement is a product of diplomatic efforts spanning more than three years. A high-level Nigerian delegation, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), traveled to Addis Ababa to sign the memorandum of understanding with Ethiopian authorities.
How the Transfer Will Work
The transfer will proceed according to standard international legal practice for the transfer of sentenced persons. Only prisoners who have received a final conviction and who have no pending appeals will be eligible for transfer. Furthermore, each prisoner must consent to the transfer voluntarily. The principle of dual criminality applies, meaning that the act for which a prisoner was convicted must also be a criminal offense under Nigerian law.
Once a prisoner is determined eligible, the Ethiopian authorities will transfer custody to Nigerian officials. The prisoners will then be transported from Ethiopian facilities, primarily Kaliti Prison and Aba Samuel Prison, to Nigeria. Upon arrival, they will be placed in Nigerian correctional centers designated by the Nigerian Correctional Service.
It is important to note that the transfer does not change the length or nature of the original sentence. The prisoners will continue to serve the remainder of their jail terms exactly as imposed by the Ethiopian court. However, Nigerian authorities may adapt the conditions of the sentence, such as eligibility for parole or remission for good conduct, to align with Nigerian law. This is permitted as long as the core period of imprisonment remains substantially the same.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Ministry of Justice, will oversee the logistics of the transfer. The two governments are currently finalizing arrangements for the physical transportation of the prisoners and for the specific Nigerian facilities that will receive them.
Official Statements
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad. Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed gratitude to the Ethiopian government for its cooperation throughout the negotiation process. She also urged Nigerians traveling abroad to respect the laws of their host countries and to conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the reputation of the nation.
