By Monsurat Abisoye
The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed a Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement with Ethiopia, paving the way for the repatriation of more than 100 Nigerian nationals currently serving prison terms in the East African country.
The agreement was signed in Addis Ababa by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and Ethiopia’s Minister of Justice, Hanna Arayaselassie.
According to a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Magnus Eze, both countries agreed to immediately commence implementation of the agreement in accordance with their domestic laws and international obligations.
The arrangement will enable convicted citizens of either country to serve the remainder of their prison sentences in their home nation under mutually agreed conditions.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the agreement as a major diplomatic milestone founded on humanity, justice, and international cooperation.
She noted that the framework recognizes the importance of family, culture, language, and social support systems in the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders. She added that the welfare and protection of Nigerians living abroad remain a key priority of the Federal Government.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed that four Nigerian prisoners died in Ethiopian custody while negotiations and ratification processes were ongoing, underscoring the urgency of implementing the agreement.
“We cannot afford to lose any more precious lives. We are determined to bring home the living,” she said, while reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring that its citizens abroad are treated with dignity and accorded their legal rights.
Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Timothewos, welcomed the agreement and called for stronger cooperation between both countries, whose diplomatic relations span more than six decades.
The signing ceremony was attended by officials from both nations, including representatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Ethiopian Federal Prison Commission, as efforts commenced to facilitate the transfer of the affected inmates.