Ethiopia and Nigeria have signed an agreement that will facilitate the transfer of sentenced persons between the two countries in accordance with their respective laws and international obligations.
The agreement establishes a legal framework for the exchange or transfer of convicted prisoners, enabling them to serve the remainder of their sentences in their home countries.
The prisoner transfer agreement was signed today in Addis Ababa by Hana Arayasellassie, Minister of Justice of Ethiopia, and Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Nigeria, following high-level discussions between Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothewos, and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
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Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos stressed the importance of “sustained consultation and coordination on issues of mutual interest” to further strengthen the historic partnership.
Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that the arrangement “recognizes the important role that family, language, culture, and social support systems play in the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.”
According to her, the agreement reflects shared understanding that “correctional systems should not only punish wrongdoing but should equally provide opportunities for rehabilitation, reformation, and eventual reintegration into one’s society.”
Available information at Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows that approximately 100 Nigerian nationals, including four women, are currently serving prison sentences in Ethiopia. It is also noted that four Nigerian inmates died while negotiations, judicial reviews, and ratification processes leading to the agreement were underway.
As part of her visit, Odumegwu-Ojukwu is expected to tour Kaliti and Aba Samuel correctional facilities, where about 100 Nigerians, including four women, are serving various prison terms.
Officials from both countries expressed confidence that the discussions and the newly signed agreement would enhance cooperation between their justice institutions, and strengthen the broader partnership between Africa’s two influential nations.
