Tinubu seeks modification to convicted offenders switch legislation

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a invoice to the Senate looking for to amend Nigeria’s legislation on the switch of convicted offenders to allow the nation to implement prisoner-transfer agreements with nations outdoors the Commonwealth.

The proposed Transfer of Convicted Offenders (Enactment and Enforcement) Amendment Bill, 2026, was transmitted to the Senate for consideration as a part of efforts to strengthen the authorized framework governing the switch of convicted individuals between Nigeria and different nations.

The President’s letter was learn by Senate President Godswill Akpabio throughout plenary on Tuesday, with Tinubu urging lawmakers to expedite consideration of the proposed laws.

The invoice seeks to amend the Transfer of Convicted Offenders (Enactment and Enforcement) Act, Cap. T16, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to facilitate the implementation of agreements between the Federal Government and different nations on the switch of convicted individuals.

Bill targets agreements past Commonwealth

According to the President, the proposed modification is meant to offer authorized impact to any scheme or settlement reached between Nigeria and the federal government of one other nation regarding the switch of convicted offenders.

A serious provision of the invoice would empower the President to increase the appliance of the Act to nations with which Nigeria has entered into related agreements by means of an order printed within the Federal Gazette.

The proposed change is predicted to broaden Nigeria’s authorized choices for negotiating and implementing prisoner-transfer preparations past nations throughout the Commonwealth.

Under the present framework, the legislation gives for the switch of convicted offenders, whereas the modification seeks to make it simpler to use such preparations to different nations, topic to related agreements.

The proposed laws would due to this fact present a authorized foundation for the implementation of prisoner-transfer agreements with nations outdoors the Commonwealth.

How prisoner-transfer agreements work

Prisoner-transfer agreements present a authorized mechanism by means of which convicted individuals could serve their sentences abroad beneath mutually agreed situations.

Such preparations can tackle authorized and administrative points related to transferring offenders between jurisdictions, together with the relevant procedures and tasks of the nations concerned.

The proposed modification, nevertheless, doesn’t robotically authorise the switch of each convicted Nigerian or international nationwide. Any switch would stay topic to relevant agreements and the related authorized necessities.

The invoice should additionally cross by means of the legislative course of earlier than it may well grow to be legislation.

Tinubu urges speedy passage

In his correspondence to the Senate, Tinubu expressed hope that lawmakers would give the proposed modification immediate consideration.

“While it is my hope that the Senate will consider this submission expeditiously, please accept, Distinguished Senate President and Distinguished Senators, the assurances of my highest consideration,” the President wrote.

The invoice was transmitted in accordance with Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which gives for the President’s function within the legislative course of.

Following its transmission, the proposed laws would require consideration by the National Assembly earlier than any modification can take impact.

The final result of the legislative course of will decide whether or not the Federal Government obtains the expanded authorized framework it’s looking for to implement prisoner-transfer agreements with nations outdoors the Commonwealth.