President Bola Tinubu dispatches top government officials to Ethiopia to facilitate the transfer of hundreds of Nigerian prisoners serving sentences in Addis Ababa.
President Bola Tinubu has reportedly dispatched a high-level delegation to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to facilitate the repatriation of nearly 300 Nigerian nationals currently serving prison sentences in the East African country.
According to reports, the delegation includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who are expected to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ethiopian authorities. The agreement would allow the affected Nigerians to complete their jail terms in correctional facilities back home.
The move follows growing concerns over the welfare of Nigerian inmates held at Kaliti Prison in Addis Ababa, where reports of overcrowding, poor medical care, and harsh living conditions have emerged over the years.
Most of the prisoners are said to be serving sentences for drug-related offences. Several deaths have also been recorded among Nigerian inmates in recent years, prompting repeated calls for government intervention.
Sources familiar with the development said President Tinubu personally approved the initiative as part of efforts to protect the rights and welfare of Nigerians abroad.
The prisoner transfer arrangement has been under discussion for years, with Nigerian officials previously engaging Ethiopian authorities on the matter. Nigeria reportedly completed its part of the agreement, while awaiting final ratification from the Ethiopian government.
If concluded, the agreement will enable the inmates to serve the remainder of their sentences in Nigeria while providing them with improved access to family support and rehabilitation programmes.
The development has been welcomed by families of the affected prisoners and advocacy groups, who have long urged both governments to expedite the transfer process.