Ninety-eight Nigerians jailed in Ethiopia set to be repatriated home

98 Nigerian Prisoners to Be Repatriated from Ethiopia Under New Agreement

ADDIS ABABA — Approximately 98 Nigerians currently serving sentences in Ethiopian prisons are set to be repatriated to Nigeria, following the signing of a prisoner transfer agreement between the two countries.

The announcement was made during a visit by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, to inmates at Aba Samuel Prison in Ethiopia. During her visit, she conveyed a message from President Bola Tinubu, assuring the inmates that they have not been forgotten.

The agreement, signed on June 10 in Addis Ababa, allows convicted Nigerians to serve the remainder of their sentences in Nigeria. Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, represented Nigeria, while Ethiopia’s Minister of Justice, Hanna Arayaselassie, signed on behalf of her government.

Ethiopian authorities indicated that the 98 eligible inmates, which include two women, must provide consent for the transfer and have at least one year remaining in their sentences.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized that the agreement reflects the Tinubu administration’s commitment to citizen diplomacy, driven by humanitarian considerations and cooperation between the two nations. She also noted that four Nigerian inmates died during the negotiations leading to the agreement.

During her address, the minister urged inmates to cooperate in completing the necessary documentation for their transfer. She reminded them that the agreement should not serve as a justification for criminal behavior, but rather as an opportunity for rehabilitation and self-improvement. Odumegwu-Ojukwu reassured the inmates of the government’s dedication to supporting their reintegration through skills acquisition and capacity-building programs.

“I want to thank the Ethiopian government for this prisoner transfer agreement and assure you that the Nigerian government remains concerned about your welfare and dignity,” said Odumegwu-Ojukwu. She encouraged inmates to maintain hope, discipline, and respect for the laws of their host country.

Aminu Yusuf, Assistant Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, who represented the Controller-General, confirmed that arrangements have been made for the return of the inmates. Upon their arrival in Nigeria, they will be processed at the Kuje Correctional Centre before being transferred to facilities closer to their families.

The announcement prompted celebrations among the inmates, many of whom expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Foreign Affairs Minister, and their legal representatives. A spokesperson for the prisoners expressed their commitment to responsible conduct if returned to Nigeria.

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