The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that efforts are underway to repatriate more than 270 Nigerian citizens imprisoned in Kaliti Prison, Ethiopia.
Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, recently held discussions with the Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria, where the plight of Nigerians in Ethiopian prisons was a key issue. This was revealed by the ministry's acting spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Tuesday.
While Nigeria and Ethiopia currently lack an extradition agreement, Ebienfa noted that plans are in progress to establish Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to improve bilateral cooperation.
The push for repatriation follows a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja on November 14, which directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to facilitate the return of the detained citizens. Justice Inyang Ekwo issued an order of mandamus, compelling the two agencies to act in light of the Ethiopian government’s admission that it lacks the budget to feed the prisoners.
“The applicants have made a credible case for this court to issue an order of mandamus to compel the 1st and 2nd respondents to perform their statutory functions,” Justice Ekwo ruled.
The court's decision stemmed from a suit filed on behalf of the detained Nigerians, underscoring the urgency of addressing their predicament.
The Nigerian government has since intensified diplomatic engagements to ensure the safe return of its citizens.
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