Nigerian Govt moves to secure transfer of over 100 citizens jailed in Ethiopia

The Federal Government has initiated moves to transfer home more than 100 Nigerians jailed in Ethiopian prisons.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who is in Addis Ababa to sign the deal, alongside the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, disclosed this in a post on her verified X handle on Wednesday.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Fagbemi were received by the Ethiopian Minister of State, Foreign Affairs and the Chief of Protocol.

According to the minister, four Nigerian prisoners have died within the time frame it has taken for the negotiations, judicial vetting and the final ratification process.

“We cannot afford to lose any more precious lives. We are determined to bring home the living,” she said, identifying the facilities holding the Nigerians as Kaliti Prison and Aba Samuel Prison in Ethiopia.

She added that the bilateral agreement is rooted in the principles of humanity and justice and cooperation between Nigeria and Ethiopia.

“While we continue to encourage our citizens living and traveling abroad to respect the laws of their host countries, and uphold the good name of our nation, we also remain committed to ensuring that those who find themselves in conflict with the law are treated with dignity and accorded their rights under applicable legal frameworks,” the minister stated.