Nigeria and Ethiopia have finalised arrangements for a prisoner transfer agreement that could pave the way for the return of more than 100 Nigerians currently serving jail terms in the East African country.
The agreement is expected to strengthen judicial cooperation between both nations while addressing humanitarian concerns surrounding Nigerian inmates held in Ethiopian correctional facilities.
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 formal signing of the pact.
The Nigerian delegation was received by Ethiopia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and the country’s Chief of Protocol ahead of the signing ceremony.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed that the agreement was scheduled to be signed on Wednesday after years of negotiations, legal reviews and diplomatic engagements between both countries.
She revealed that four Nigerian prisoners died during the prolonged process of discussions, judicial assessments and ratification efforts.
According to the minister, the Federal Government is determined to ensure that no more lives are lost while awaiting the implementation of the agreement.
“We cannot afford to lose any more precious lives. We are determined to bring home the living,” she stated.
The minister identified Kaliti Prison and Aba Samuel Prison as the facilities where many of the affected Nigerian inmates are currently being held.
She described the prisoner transfer arrangement as a reflection of the longstanding diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and Ethiopia, built on mutual respect, justice, humanitarian values and bilateral cooperation.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reiterated that while the Nigerian government continues to encourage citizens living abroad to obey the laws of their host countries and uphold the country’s reputation, it remains committed to protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerians facing legal challenges overseas.
She added that the welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora remains a key priority of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The minister also commended the Ethiopian government for its cooperation and support throughout the process, expressing optimism that the agreement would offer relief to affected inmates and their families.
Once implemented, the deal is expected to allow eligible Nigerian prisoners in Ethiopia to serve the remainder of their sentences in Nigeria under established legal frameworks, marking a significant milestone in diplomatic relations between the two African nations.
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