Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has assured Nigerian inmates serving prison terms in Ethiopia that the Federal Government remains committed to their welfare and will not abandon them despite their circumstances.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu gave the assurance during a visit to Nigerian prisoners at AbaSamuel Prison in Ethiopia, where she conveyed a message of hope and solidarity from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Your country will not desert you. Your President knows you are here,” she told the inmates during the visit.
The minister disclosed that Nigeria and Ethiopia recently signed a bilateral Prisoner Transfer Agreement aimed at allowing eligible inmates to serve their sentences in their home countries. She described the agreement as a significant milestone rooted in the principles of humanity, justice and cooperation between both nations.
According to her, the agreement was concluded after a lengthy process involving negotiations, judicial reviews and diplomatic engagements. She, however, expressed sadness that four Nigerian prisoners died while the process was still underway.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the Federal Government remains committed to the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad, in line with President Tinubu’s administration’s foreign policy objectives.
She also conveyed Nigeria’s appreciation to the Government and people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia for their cooperation and support throughout the process that led to the signing of the agreement.
While urging Nigerians living and travelling abroad to respect the laws of their host countries and uphold the nation’s image, the minister stressed that the government would continue to protect the rights of its citizens within the limits of applicable legal frameworks.
She noted that although individuals must bear responsibility for their actions, Nigerians who come into conflict with the law abroad should not feel completely abandoned, as the government remains committed to ensuring that they receive fair treatment and access to their legal rights.
The prisoner transfer agreement is expected to strengthen judicial cooperation between Nigeria and Ethiopia while providing a framework for the humane treatment and rehabilitation of affected inmates.
