Nigeria pushes for prisoner transfer deal with Tanzania over 30 Nigerians in jail

Nigeria is actively seeking a prisoner transfer agreement with Tanzania to facilitate the return of more than 30 Nigerian citizens currently incarcerated in the East African nation. The Federal Government views this as a crucial step to ensure these individuals can serve their sentences in their home country.

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It’s important for you to note that currently, Nigeria doesn’t have a prisoner transfer agreement with Tanzania, but I think since we have a new High Commissioner there, after the presentation of our letters of credence, it will be one of the issues that she will take up with the Tanzanian authorities.

According to Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the absence of a current prisoner transfer agreement means Nigeria lacks the legal framework to repatriate convicted citizens. He stated that the issue would be a priority for Nigeria's new High Commissioner to Tanzania once she presents her credentials to the Tanzanian authorities.

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The prisoner transfer agreement is something that has to be mutually agreed, and if the terms and conditions are agreed upon about implementation, then we’ll work towards the smooth implementation to see how we can move those that have been sentenced, that are serving various terms to Nigeria to complete their sentences.

Ebienfa explained that any such agreement must be mutually consented to, with agreed-upon terms for implementation. He noted that Nigerians in Tanzanian detention fall into three categories: convicted individuals, those awaiting trial, and others arrested, often for immigration or drug-related offenses. The successful negotiation of a transfer agreement would allow for the smooth repatriation of convicted Nigerians to complete their sentences in Nigeria.

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The issue of Nigerians in detention in Tanzania falls into three categories: convicted, awaiting trial, and arrested, “most often for immigration and drug offences.”