Tinubu sends bill to Senate to facilitate transfer of Nigerians jailed abroad

President Bola Tinubu has forwarded a bill to the Senate seeking to allow Nigerians convicted abroad to return home and serve their prison sentences.

According to Premium Times, the proposed legislation seeks to amend the Transfer of Convicted Offenders Enactment and Enforcement Act, 2004.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu’s letter during plenary on Tuesday.

The president explained that the amendment would enable Nigeria to establish prisoner-transfer agreements with foreign governments.

It would also permit reciprocal transfers under mutually agreed conditions.

The bill would empower the president to extend its provisions to participating countries through orders published in the Federal Gazette.

Nigeria already maintains a prisoner-transfer agreement with the United Kingdom.

However, the proposed amendment would provide a broader framework for implementing similar arrangements with countries outside the Commonwealth.

Akpabio subsequently referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for legislative consideration.

Transfers would remain subject to eligibility requirements and agreements between governments.