President Bola Tinubu has sent the Senate a bill to widen Nigeria’s legal framework for transferring convicted prisoners between countries under bilateral agreements.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the president’s letter at Tuesday’s plenary. Tinubu said the amendment would allow Nigeria to implement prisoner-transfer arrangements with countries outside the Commonwealth.
The proposal concerns where convicted people serve their sentences. It would support transfers of Nigerians convicted abroad to Nigeria, as well as corresponding requests from foreign governments, subject to the agreements involved.
The Transfer of Convicted Offenders (Enactment and Enforcement) Amendment Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the existing 2004 law.
A proposed provision would let the president extend the law’s application to a country with which Nigeria has an agreement by publishing an order in the Federal Gazette.
The bill would not automatically entitle every Nigerian convicted overseas to return home to serve a sentence. Eligibility would depend on the relevant agreement and its conditions.
Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further consideration. Tinubu asked lawmakers to give the proposal prompt attention; it has not yet become law.
Sources: Premium Times; Punch
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