Nigeria and UK sign prisoner exchange agreement. James Ibori might complete prison term in Nigeria

 

On Thursday, Nigeria and the United Kingdom signed a Prisoners Transfer Agreement (PTA) for the exchange of high-profile prisoners between both countries. The agreement will allow for the transfer of about 521 Nigerians who are currently serving jail terms in the UK to complete their jail terms in Nigeria. There is only one British national in Nigerian prison and about 60 per cent of the Nigerians currently in prison in the UK would qualify for the prisoner transfer.

The British government is also to give the Federal Government �1m (about N280m) for a comprehensive reform of Nigerian Prisons

The agreement was signed by the Ministers of Justice of both countries in Abuja. Speaking at the signing of the agreement, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, said "The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan remains irrevocably committed to the welfare of Nigerians residing in the UK. It is therefore our expectation that the Government of the United Kingdom continue to accord more convicted Nigerians appropriate legal protection under UK law��

The UK Justice Minister, Jermey Wright, said, �This is a good agreement for both Nigeria and the United Kingdom and I think it gives us the opportunity to strengthen our partnership and our friendship. It is also an opportunity to ensure that those prisoners who come from either country will serve their own sentences in their own countries and that is better for their rehabilitation.

��It gives us the opportunity to ensure the security of the rest of our population by making the necessary arrangements for their release.��

He also explained that only some of the 521 Nigerians currently in UK prisons would be eligible for the prisoner transfer program, since only prisoners that are serving more than 12 months would be eligible.

Prisoners in both countries wont have the choice of participating or not but countries do will have an opportunity to discuss whether a transfer should be made.