Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu Hails Pact as Major Milestone in Humanitarian Justice, Consular Cooperation
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Government of Ethiopia have signed a landmark bilateral agreement that will allow convicted citizens of both countries to serve the remainder of their prison sentences in their home nations, marking a significant breakthrough in humanitarian justice, consular cooperation and bilateral relations between two of Africa’s most influential countries.
The agreement, known as the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement, was signed at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Addis Ababa by Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and Ethiopia’s Minister of Justice, Hanna Arayaselassie, in the presence of senior government officials from both nations.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the accord as a major diplomatic achievement that reflects the shared commitment of both countries to justice, humanity and the welfare of their citizens.
According to her, the agreement represents far more than a legal arrangement, as it acknowledges the critical role of family support, cultural identity, language and social connections in the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.
“This accord is a reflection of the shared commitment of our two nations to justice and to a more humane approach to custodial administration,” she stated.
The agreement is expected to directly benefit more than 100 Nigerian nationals currently serving prison terms in Ethiopian correctional facilities, particularly at Kaliti Prison and Aba Samuel Prison.
Officials said the arrangement would enable eligible prisoners to be transferred to Nigeria, where they would complete their sentences under Nigerian correctional authorities in accordance with established legal procedures.
The development comes after years of negotiations, judicial reviews and diplomatic engagements between both countries.
Speaking on the significance of the agreement, Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed that four Nigerian inmates died in Ethiopian prisons during the lengthy period it took to finalize the negotiations and ratification process.
“We cannot afford to lose any more precious lives. We are determined to bring home the living,” she said.
Beyond facilitating prisoner transfers, the agreement is being viewed as a progressive approach to criminal justice and rehabilitation.
Government officials from both countries noted that offenders often stand a better chance of rehabilitation when they remain connected to their families, cultural environments and support systems.
The framework recognizes that imprisonment should not only serve punitive purposes but should also provide opportunities for reform, rehabilitation and eventual reintegration into society.
Under the arrangement, convicted persons who meet the legal requirements may apply to be transferred to their home country, where they will continue serving their sentences under the laws and supervision of their national correctional systems.
Diplomatic sources said the agreement aligns with international best practices and reflects growing recognition worldwide that successful rehabilitation is often strengthened by proximity to family and community support networks.
The signing ceremony also provided an opportunity for both countries to reaffirm their longstanding diplomatic relationship, which dates back more than six decades.
Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothewos, emphasized that relations between Nigeria and Ethiopia have remained strong since the 1960s and stressed the importance of continued dialogue, consultation and cooperation on issues of mutual interest.
He noted that the prisoner transfer agreement represents another chapter in the growing partnership between Africa’s two major diplomatic and political powers.
Timothewos also expressed optimism that enhanced cooperation in justice administration, diplomacy and governance would further strengthen bilateral relations.
For her part, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Ethiopia across multiple sectors, including diplomacy, justice, economic development and regional integration.
The agreement also highlights the Tinubu administration’s emphasis on citizen-centred diplomacy and the protection of Nigerians living abroad.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that the welfare and protection of Nigerian citizens overseas remain a central pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy.
While encouraging Nigerians abroad to respect the laws of their host countries and uphold the country’s image, she stressed that the government remains committed to ensuring that citizens who encounter legal difficulties abroad are treated fairly and in accordance with international legal standards.
She expressed appreciation to the technical teams, legal experts, diplomats and government officials from both countries whose efforts made the agreement possible.
Observers say the agreement represents one of the most significant consular and judicial cooperation frameworks recently concluded between African nations.
Beyond addressing the immediate concerns of affected prisoners and their families, the pact is expected to strengthen institutional collaboration between the justice systems of both countries and establish a framework for future legal cooperation.
As implementation begins, both governments have expressed confidence that the agreement will deepen mutual trust, strengthen diplomatic relations and promote a more humane justice system that balances accountability with rehabilitation.
For many of the Nigerian inmates awaiting transfer, the agreement offers something that has been absent for years: the possibility of serving the remainder of their sentences closer to home, closer to family, and closer to the support systems that may ultimately aid their successful reintegration into society.
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