By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Federal Government has concluded arrangements for the repatriation of 98 Nigerian inmates serving prison terms in Ethiopia following the signing of a landmark Prisoner Transfer Agreement between both countries.
The agreement, signed in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, will allow eligible Nigerian prisoners to return home to complete their sentences in Nigerian correctional facilities.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, assured the inmates that Nigeria had not abandoned them despite their incarceration abroad.
Delivering the President’s message during a visit to Nigerian prisoners at Aba Samuel Prison on Thursday, Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the agreement as a significant humanitarian and diplomatic achievement rooted in the Tinubu administration’s citizen-focused foreign policy.
The pact was signed on behalf of Nigeria by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), while Ethiopia’s Minister of Justice, Hanna Arayaselassie, signed for her country.
The agreement was facilitated by the foreign ministers of both nations.
According to Ethiopian prison authorities, 98 Nigerian inmates—comprising 96 men and two women—are eligible for transfer under the arrangement.
Beneficiaries must voluntarily consent to the transfer and have at least one year remaining on their prison terms.
Most of the affected inmates are currently held at Aba Samuel and Kaliti prisons in Ethiopia.
Addressing the inmates, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the agreement was inspired by the citizen diplomacy component of Nigeria’s 4-D Foreign Policy framework—Diplomacy, Democracy, Development and Demography—under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She disclosed that four Nigerian inmates died during the period of negotiations, judicial reviews and finalisation of the agreement, describing the development as unfortunate.
“The agreement is founded on the principles of humanity, justice and cooperation between Nigeria and Ethiopia,” she said.
The minister, however, stressed that the arrangement should not be interpreted as a licence for criminal conduct.
“This is not a licence for impunity. Prospective offenders may not be as fortunate in the future,” she warned.
She urged the inmates to cooperate fully with prison authorities in completing the required documentation and consent procedures necessary for their transfer.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also encouraged them to embrace rehabilitation, self-improvement and lawful means of livelihood upon their return to Nigeria.
“Maintain hope, discipline and good conduct. When you return home, chart a new path for yourselves and your families,” she advised.
Representing the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Assistant Controller-General of Corrections (Operations), Aminu Yusuf, assured the inmates that arrangements had been put in place to receive them upon arrival in Nigeria.
He explained that they would initially be processed at the Kuje Correctional Centre before being transferred to correctional facilities closer to their families where necessary.
“After receiving you at Kuje Correctional Centre, all documentation and relocation processes will be undertaken in accordance with the powers vested in the Controller-General,” Yusuf said.
The announcement sparked scenes of jubilation among the inmates, many of whom expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and their legal representative, Abumchukwu Okoye, for facilitating the agreement.
Speaking on behalf of the prisoners, their spokesperson commended both governments for concluding the deal and pledged that the inmates would uphold good conduct if repatriated to Nigeria.
The prisoner transfer agreement marks a major milestone in Nigeria-Ethiopia relations and is expected to strengthen bilateral cooperation while addressing humanitarian concerns surrounding incarcerated foreign nationals.
