A total of 136 Nigerian inmates detained in Ethiopia have expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, following the Nigeria-Ethiopia Prisoner Transfer Agreement aimed at facilitating the return of Nigerian prisoners to the country.
The inmates, whose names were released as part of the transfer programme, hailed the intervention as a significant step towards reuniting them with their families and providing them an opportunity to continue serving their sentences within Nigeria’s correctional system.
The prisoner transfer arrangement is expected to allow eligible Nigerian inmates serving jail terms in Ethiopia to be moved back home, in line with agreements between both countries on the treatment and rehabilitation of foreign prisoners.
The list of beneficiaries includes 136 Nigerians, among them Anazoba Linus Okigbo, Ejike Cyril Edeme, Charles Ofor Damijo, Nnaemeka Charles Maduagwu, Chukwudalu Clinton, Eze Paul Oluchi and Kingsley Ebuka Udeigbo.
Other names on the list include Okoyeagu Kosisochukwu Leonard, Ozoemena Christian Chukwuemeka, Ifeanyi Joseph Izuako, Ephraim Chetachukwu Onyeanusi, Segun Judge Hunkarin, John Osahon and Chinonso Sabastine Nwankwor.
The programme also covers inmates such as Sunday Edeh, Obinna Joseph, Anayo Eva Ejiofor, Adeyemi Abdulrafin Adeyemi, Christopher Hope Agboma, Oliver Ifeanyi Nweke and several others.
The inmates further expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for what they described as a humanitarian intervention, noting that the agreement would strengthen diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Ethiopia.
They specifically acknowledged the roles of President Tinubu and Bianca Ojukwu in advancing the process, while appealing for continued support to ensure a smooth implementation of the transfer.
The remaining beneficiaries include Christopher Ndu A., Ezekwu Johnson Ide, Vincent Dike, Michael Chibuize, Chikezie Luis Okoye, Henry Nwabueze Ojukwu, Basil Lawrence Igbo and many others listed under the 136-man transfer programme.
The final names on the list include Chinedu Marcel Anyanwu, Basil Akimbo Nnouseh, Nwachukwu Paul Udechukwu, Nonso Josiah Onyebuchi and Udochukwu Anselem Anyanwu.
The initiative is expected to mark a new phase in Nigeria-Ethiopia cooperation on justice, consular assistance and the welfare of Nigerians abroad.
