Tinubu transmits invoice to Senate to permit switch of convicted Nigerians overseas again dwelling

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a invoice to the Senate looking for to empower the federal authorities to enter into agreements with different international locations for the switch of convicted Nigerian residents to serve their sentences at dwelling.

The proposed laws goals to amend the Transfer of Convicted Offenders Enactment and Enforcement Act of 2004, facilitating prisoner transfers beneath mutual agreements between Nigeria and international nations. Senate President Godswill Akpabio learn the president’s letter throughout Tuesday’s plenary session.

According to the letter, the laws will allow Nigeria to each repatriate its residents convicted overseas and honor reciprocal requests from international governments, topic to particular treaty phrases.

“The Transfer of Convicted Offenders Enactment and Enforcement Amendment Bill 2026 seeks to amend the Transfer of Convicted Offenders Enactment and Enforcement Act, Act Cap 216, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004, to give effect to the provisions of any scheme or agreement for the transfer of convicted offenders between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the government of any other country,” President Tinubu acknowledged.

The invoice will empower the president, by an order printed within the Federal Gazette, to use the legislation to any nation with which Nigeria establishes a proper switch settlement, extending past current Commonwealth frameworks.

Following the studying, Senate President Akpabio referred the invoice to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for additional legislative processing.
High-profile instances involving Nigerians convicted overseas embrace former Delta State Governor James Ibori, who served a sentence for cash laundering within the United Kingdom, and former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who was convicted within the UK in 2023.

Additionally, former Ogun State political aide Abidemi Rufai was sentenced for wire fraud within the United States in 2022.

While Nigeria and the UK already share a prisoner-transfer association, the brand new modification establishes a broader authorized framework for implementing agreements with non-Commonwealth nations.

Eligibility for switch will rely strictly on the circumstances and provisions outlined in particular person bilateral agreements fairly than guaranteeing computerized repatriation for each convicted citizen overseas.