THE Federal Government has signed an agreement with Ethiopia for the transfer of more than 100 Nigerian prisoners currently serving jail terms in the East African country, paving the way for them to return home and complete the remainder of their sentences in Nigeria.
News Point Nigeria reports that the landmark agreement was signed on Friday by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and Ethiopia’s Minister of Justice, Hanna Arayaselassie, in the presence of senior officials from both countries.
The development is expected to bring relief to many Nigerian inmates held in Ethiopian correctional facilities, some of whom have reportedly spent years away from their families under difficult conditions.
Speaking on the significance of the agreement, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the pact underscores the shared commitment of both countries to justice, rehabilitation and the welfare of affected citizens.
According to her, the arrangement goes beyond the mere transfer of inmates and recognises the importance of family support, cultural familiarity and social connections in the rehabilitation process.
“This arrangement also recognises the critical role of family support, language, culture and social connections in the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders, thereby facilitating opportunities for reform and eventual reintegration into society,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
She explained that the affected Nigerians are being held in Ethiopia’s Kaliti Prison and Aba Samuel Prison, two major correctional facilities in the country.
The minister disclosed that conditions surrounding some of the inmates had become a source of concern, revealing that at least four Nigerians had died while in custody and several others were currently battling serious health challenges.
According to her, several inmates are critically ill, making the transfer arrangement even more urgent.
During a visit to Aba Samuel Prison, Odumegwu-Ojukwu met with the Nigerian inmates and reassured them that the Federal Government had not forgotten them.
Addressing the prisoners, she conveyed a message of hope and solidarity from the Nigerian government.
“Your country will not desert you… your president knows you are here,” she told the inmates.
The minister also shared videos showing emotional scenes of celebration among the prisoners after learning that plans were underway for their return to Nigeria.
Many of the inmates reportedly expressed joy and relief at the prospect of being reunited with their families and serving the remainder of their prison terms closer to home.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu further assured the inmates that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to the welfare, protection and wellbeing of Nigerian citizens abroad, regardless of their circumstances.
The prisoner transfer agreement marks another step in diplomatic cooperation between Nigeria and Ethiopia and is expected to facilitate the return of the affected inmates in line with agreed legal and administrative procedures.
Once repatriated, the prisoners will serve the remainder of their sentences within Nigeria’s correctional system while benefiting from closer family contact and support aimed at improving their chances of rehabilitation and eventual reintegration into society.