Tinubu Seeks Law to Bring Nigerians Convicted Abroad Home to Serve Jail Terms.
The proposed legislation, known as Transfer of Convicted Offenders Enactment and Enforcement Amendment Bill 2026, seeks to amend the Transfer of Convicted Offenders Enactment and Enforcement Act, Cap 216, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Tinubu transmitted the bill to Senate in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday.
The president explained the proposed amendment would provide a legal framework for Nigeria to enter into agreements with other countries for the transfer of convicted offenders, while also enabling the country to honour similar requests from foreign governments under mutually agreed conditions.
In the letter, Tinubu said the bill sought to give effect to agreements between Nigeria and other countries on the transfer of convicted persons. He stated, “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.” The president explained that the proposed amendment would empower him to extend the application of the law to countries with which Nigeria had entered into relevant agreements through an order published in the Federal Gazette. According to him, the provision would facilitate the implementation of prisoner-transfer arrangements, particularly with countries outside the Commonwealth. After reading the president’s letter, Akpabio referred the bill to Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative consideration.
MSEApp News is publishing an original rewrite of this tip for readers, based on reporting associated with THISDAY.