The Federal Government has said that it is ready to receive Nigerians serving various jail terms in different prisons across the world.
This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Francis Enobore, the Spokesperson of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS). The statement said the decision followed the Prison Transfer Agreement entered with the governments of the various countries involved.
A former governor of Delta state, Mr
James Ibori, is among some high-profile Nigerians currently serving jail terms in the United Kingdom.
According to the statement, Dr Peter
Ekpendu, the Comptroller-General of the NPS made the disclosure during an inspection visit to the Kuje Medium Security Prison. The Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, and officials of the UK Embassy in Nigeria were among dignitaries that paid the inspection visit.
“Our prisons are ready. We are ready to receive the prisoners anytime they are brought back,”the statement quoted Ekpendu as saying.
Earlier, Dambazau cleared the air on the speculation that government was
concentrating on developing the Kuje Prison as it normally hosts high-profile inmates.
“Our concentration is not just on Kuje prison but some prisons in other states, including the Kirikiri Prison.
“We are hoping that by the time the
budget is signed and we get our releases, we are going to embark on renovation of some prisons, capacity building and reinforcement of security.
“The prisoners exchange agreement is quiet at an advanced stage, but there are a lot of issues involved.
“First of all, we have to clear that, legally,in terms of the rights of the prisoner, so that we do not violate any and there are still other issues that we are considering,”the minister said.
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