Breaking: Tinubu Moves To Bring Nigerian Prisoners Home From Ethiopia

President Bola Tinubu has directed relevant government agencies to commence urgent measures to facilitate the return of nearly 300 Nigerians currently serving prison sentences in Ethiopia so they can complete their terms in Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The move follows mounting concerns over the welfare of Nigerian inmates held in Ethiopian correctional facilities, particularly Kaliti Prison in Addis Ababa, where reports of overcrowding, poor living conditions, inadequate healthcare, and inmate deaths have sparked concern.

According to reports, the President has dispatched a high-level delegation to Ethiopia to engage with authorities on the transfer process. The team includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.

The delegation is expected to finalize and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ethiopian government that will provide the legal framework for the transfer of Nigerian prisoners to correctional facilities in Nigeria.

Under the arrangement, affected inmates would serve the remainder of their jail terms upon their return to the country.

Tinubu reportedly issued the directive after receiving reports highlighting the deteriorating conditions facing Nigerian prisoners in Ethiopia.

The delegation was said to have departed for Addis Ababa on Tuesday to accelerate discussions and conclude the necessary agreements.

The intervention marks the first direct action by the President on an issue that has remained unresolved despite years of diplomatic engagements between both countries.

Records from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicate that more than 270 Nigerians are currently incarcerated in Ethiopia, with a significant number convicted for drug-related offences.

Most of the inmates are being held at Kaliti Prison, a facility that has repeatedly attracted criticism over allegations of overcrowding, poor feeding, inadequate medical care, and harsh prison conditions.