The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has reassured Nigerian nationals in Ethiopian prisons about President Bola ‘s intervention that the country will not abandon them.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed the president’s message in a statement issued on Saturday by Dr Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The statement is against the backdrop of the minister’s led delegation to visit the Aba Samuel Prison in Ethiopia on June 11.
According to her, the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement which was signed by both countries as at June 10, provides that 96 males and two females are likely beneficiaries.
Odumegwu Ojukwu said, “The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had signed for Nigeria while his Ethiopian counterpart, Hanna Arayaselassie, signed for her country.
“The agreement allows about 100 Nigerians serving jail terms in Ethiopia to be transferred back to Nigeria to complete their sentences.
“The inmates are mainly held in Aba Samuel and Kaliti Prisons.”
She explained that according to Ethiopian authorities those to be transferred would not only give their consent, but also have at least one year left of their sentences.
She narrated her address to the inmates after a separate meeting with the authorities of Ethiopia Federal Prisons Commission and the Ministry of Justice, saying the bilateral Prisoner Transfer Agreement was prompted by the citizen diplomacy approach.
This, according to her, is enshrined in the 4-D: Diplomacy, Democracy, Development and Demography foreign policy of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
The minister disclosed that at least four Nigerian inmates had died while the negotiations, judicial vetting and the final conclusion of the agreement lasted.
“Nigera government will continue to encourage its citizens living and traveling abroad to respect the laws of their host countries, and uphold the good name of Nigeria.
“Also the country remains committed to ensuring those who find themselves in conflict with the law will not be totally abandoned to their fate, but accorded their rights under applicable legal frameworks,” she said.
She, however, warned that such was not a license for impunity, while stating that prospective offenders might not be lucky, next time.
“The government also remains committed to providing avenues for technical training, for capacity building, for other pathways that will enhance your skills and provide better opportunities for a legitimate living.”
She cited the Assistant Controller-General, Operations of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Aminu Yusuf, who represented the Controller-General of the Service, to have assured the inmates of the readiness to receive them in Nigeria.
“After we have received you in Kuje Correctional Centre, all other formalities, documentations and relocations will certainly take place.
“The powers are vested on the Controller-General to move you to locations he dims fit or where will be closer to your families. We wish you well and look forward to welcoming you back to Nigeria,” Yusuf said
