The Coalition of Lagos State Indigenous Groups (COLSIG) has urged the Federal Government to ensure that Nigerian prisoners repatriated from Ethiopia or any other foreign country are not granted special treatment upon their return, warning that such concessions could encourage criminal behaviour among Nigerians living abroad.
The group said any arrangement for the return of convicted Nigerian inmates should strictly comply with existing laws and international prisoner-transfer procedures, stressing that repatriation should not be misconstrued as a pathway to freedom or an opportunity to evade punishment.
In a statement issued in Lagos and signed by its Convener, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri, COLSIG expressed concern over ongoing discussions regarding the possible repatriation of Nigerian citizens currently serving prison sentences in Ethiopia.
According to the group, while the Nigerian government has a responsibility to provide consular assistance and ensure humane treatment for its citizens overseas, such obligations should not overshadow the fact that the affected individuals were convicted and sentenced by competent courts for criminal offences committed in foreign jurisdictions.
The coalition maintained that any Nigerian inmate repatriated from Ethiopia should be handed over directly to the Nigerian Correctional Service upon arrival in the country and made to serve the remainder of his or her sentence in accordance with the law.
It stated that the repatriated inmates should first be received and processed by the appropriate federal authorities in Abuja before being transferred to designated correctional facilities across the country.
COLSIG emphasized that prisoner transfer arrangements are not designed to free convicts from serving their sentences but rather to facilitate the completion of those sentences within their home countries under approved legal frameworks.
“Repatriation should not be seen as a means of avoiding punishment or securing premature freedom,” the group stated, adding that persons lawfully convicted of crimes must be required to complete the prison terms imposed on them.
The coalition further argued that releasing convicted offenders into society before the completion of their sentences would be inappropriate, particularly at a time when Nigeria is grappling with significant security challenges.
According to the group, allowing repatriated convicts to regain their freedom without serving the remainder of their prison terms could undermine public confidence in the criminal justice system and send the wrong signal to Nigerians residing abroad.
COLSIG also raised concerns over what it described as the tone and manner of some recent public engagements involving convicted Nigerian inmates overseas.
While acknowledging the responsibility of government officials to attend to the welfare of Nigerians in foreign countries, the coalition warned that such interactions should be conducted in a manner that reflects the seriousness of the inmates’ circumstances and does not inadvertently glorify criminal conduct.
The group noted that millions of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora continue to distinguish themselves through honest and lawful conduct, contributing positively to the country’s image and reputation across the world.
It argued that the actions of a relatively small number of individuals convicted of crimes abroad should not be allowed to overshadow the achievements and sacrifices of law-abiding Nigerians.
“The reputation of hardworking and responsible Nigerians should not be diminished by the actions of a few individuals who have fallen foul of the laws of other nations,” the statement said.
COLSIG also cautioned against making Lagos State the automatic destination for repatriated prisoners merely because the state serves as Nigeria’s principal international gateway.
According to the coalition, repatriated inmates should be received by the appropriate federal authorities and thereafter transferred through established channels to correctional facilities where they can complete their sentences.
The group called on the Federal Government to ensure that any repatriation agreement involving Nigerian prisoners is implemented strictly in accordance with the rule of law and existing prison-transfer regulations.
It stressed that while compassion and consular support remain important, they must be balanced with accountability, respect for judicial decisions, and the need to discourage criminality among Nigerians both at home and abroad.
