President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed relevant government agencies to commence urgent diplomatic efforts aimed at securing the return of nearly 300 Nigerians serving prison sentences in Ethiopia following reports of deteriorating prison conditions and the deaths of some inmates in custody.
As part of the move, a high-level Nigerian delegation is expected to travel to Addis Ababa to finalise arrangements with Ethiopian authorities for the transfer of the prisoners to Nigeria, where they would serve the remainder of their sentences.
The delegation includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
Sources within the Presidency disclosed that the President directed the officials to expedite the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ethiopian Government to facilitate the transfer process.
The intervention follows growing concerns over the welfare of Nigerian inmates held at Kaliti Prison, where many are reportedly serving sentences for drug-related offences. Concerns have been raised over overcrowding, inadequate medical care, poor feeding conditions and the overall welfare of inmates.
Officials said the campaign for the prisoners’ return gained momentum after reports emerged that several Nigerians had died while serving their sentences in Ethiopian prisons. The deaths prompted appeals from families, civil society groups and advocacy organisations urging the Federal Government to secure the inmates’ transfer to Nigeria.
The issue also attracted judicial attention after a Federal High Court in Abuja reportedly directed relevant authorities to take steps towards facilitating the return of the affected prisoners.
Diplomatic discussions between Nigeria and Ethiopia have been ongoing for several years, with both countries exploring a framework that would allow convicted persons to serve their sentences in their home country under internationally recognised prisoner-transfer arrangements.
Government sources noted that Nigeria had fulfilled its obligations under the proposed agreement and had been awaiting final approvals from the Ethiopian authorities.
The latest directive from President Tinubu is regarded as the most decisive intervention on the matter since concerns over the inmates’ welfare first emerged.
If successfully concluded, the arrangement will allow the affected Nigerians to complete their prison terms in correctional facilities within the country while maintaining closer contact with their families and support networks.
Many of the inmates are believed to have been arrested while transiting through Addis Ababa’s international airport, one of Africa’s busiest aviation hubs. While a significant number were convicted on narcotics-related charges, advocacy groups have maintained that some may have unknowingly acted as drug couriers and have continued to call for a humanitarian review of their circumstances.