By our Reporter
President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to amend Nigeria’s prisoner-transfer law to allow eligible Nigerians convicted abroad to serve their sentences at home under agreements with foreign governments.
The Transfer of Convicted Offenders Enactment and Enforcement Amendment Bill 2026 seeks to amend the existing law, Cap 216, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Tinubu’s letter was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday. The proposed amendment would enable Nigeria to establish transfer agreements with other countries, including those outside the Commonwealth. Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business.
The proposal comes amid high-profile cases involving Nigerians jailed abroad, including former Delta Governor James Ibori, former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, and Abidemi Rufai, a former aide to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Nigeria already has a prisoner-transfer arrangement with the UK. However, the proposed amendment would not guarantee automatic repatriation, as transfers would depend on eligibility, legal requirements and agreements between governments.
