At least 100 Nigerians serving jail terms in Ethiopian prisons will be returned home to complete their sentences under a deal between the Federal Government and the Ethiopian government.
The announcement of the agreement sparked wild jubilation among the detainees, with inmates chanting songs in praise of President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu.
Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, signed the deal alongside Hanna Arayaselassie, his Ethiopian counterpart, on Friday in the presence of senior officials from both governments.
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the pact reflected the shared commitment of Nigeria and Ethiopia to justice.
“This arrangement also recognises the critical role of family support, language, culture and social connections in the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders, thereby facilitating opportunities for reform and eventual reintegration into society,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu identified the Ethiopian facilities holding the Nigerians as Kaliti Prison and Aba Samuel Prison.
At least four of the inmates have died, and several others are critically ill, according to the minister.
“Your country will not desert you…your president knows you are here,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu told the inmates at Aba Samuel Prisons during a visit.
The minister shared videos of the inmates celebrating the news of their imminent return to Nigeria, and assured that President Bola Tinubu remains committed to the welfare and protection of Nigerian citizens abroad.