Move comes after reports of deteriorating conditions and inmate deaths at Kaliti Prison in Addis Ababa

President Bola Tinubu has sent a high-level federal government delegation to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to facilitate the repatriation of almost 300 Nigerian nationals currently serving prison terms in the country. The directive was issued on Tuesday from Abuja, with the team mandated to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for their transfer back home.

The delegation, which includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is expected to negotiate with Ethiopian authorities for the immediate return of the prisoners so they can complete their sentences in Nigerian correctional centres. Presidency and foreign service sources confirmed that most of the affected Nigerians are being held at Kaliti Prison in Addis Ababa under challenging conditions.

According to officials familiar with the situation, Tinubu’s intervention follows mounting concerns over reports of overcrowding, poor medical care, and alleged mistreatment at Kaliti, where advocacy groups say Nigerian inmates have faced starvation and physical punishment since at least 2019. Data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicate that more than 270 Nigerians are currently imprisoned in Ethiopia, largely for drug-related offences.

“We are leaving because we have prisoners. The President has directed us to get these prisoners back. He directed that we go there right away with the Attorney-General, get an MOU quickly signed, so that these prisoners can be transported back to Nigeria, so that they can serve out the rest of their sentences here,” an official involved in the mission said.

The situation at Kaliti Prison has drawn international attention after several deaths were recorded among Nigerian inmates. On March 12, 2023, Chizoba Favour Eze reportedly died following alleged brutalisation by prison staff. Two other Nigerians—Uchenna Nwanneneme and Basil Lawrence Ilobi—also lost their lives in custody last year amid reports of inadequate medical attention. Advocacy groups and families have repeatedly called for urgent government intervention.

This marks President Tinubu’s first direct action on the issue after years of diplomatic efforts failed to yield results. The repatriation deal aims not only to alleviate suffering but also to assert Nigeria’s responsibility for its citizens abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not disclosed a timeline for when transfers might begin but assured that negotiations are ongoing.

Attempts to reach Ethiopian authorities for comment were not successful as at press time.

Source: https://punchng.com/tinubu-orders-repatriation-of-300-nigerians-held-in-ethiopian-prison/