Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu says four inmates died during negotiations as Nigeria and Ethiopia prepare to sign a prisoner transfer agreement.
More than 100 Nigerians currently serving jail terms in Ethiopia may soon be transferred to Nigeria following the conclusion of arrangements for a bilateral prisoner transfer agreement between the two countries.
The 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 signing of the pact, which is expected to take place on Wednesday.
The Nigerian delegation was received by Ethiopia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and the country’s Chief of Protocol.
In a post on her X handle, Odumegwu-Ojukwu revealed that four Nigerian inmates died during the prolonged process of negotiations, judicial reviews and ratification of the agreement.
“We cannot afford to lose any more precious lives. We are determined to bring home the living,” she wrote.
The minister identified Kaliti Prison and Aba Samuel Prison as the facilities where the affected Nigerians are currently being held.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the agreement as a product of the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Ethiopia, built on humanitarian considerations, justice and bilateral cooperation.
She noted that while the Nigerian government continues to urge its citizens abroad to respect the laws of their host countries and uphold the nation’s image, it remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians facing legal challenges overseas are treated fairly and in line with established legal frameworks.
According to her, the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad remain a key priority of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The minister also expressed appreciation to the Ethiopian government for its cooperation in bringing the agreement to fruition, describing the pact as a significant step in strengthening ties between both nations while addressing the humanitarian concerns surrounding Nigerian inmates in Ethiopia.