Nigerian prisoners in UK kick against transfer agreement

Some Nigerians serving various jail terms in the UK have kicked against the recently signed Prisoner Transfer Agreement between the Nigerian and British governments.

Dr Dalhatu Tafida, Nigeria's High Commissioner to the UK, on Tuesday in London confirmed this in an interview with the Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Tafida said some of the prisoners had expressed concern over returning to the country to complete their terms, citing poor prison facilities and stigma as main reasons.

While explaining the framework of the agreement, the envoy said the prisoner transfer was not an automatic exercise in which those in jail would return home immediately.

“Transfer will not be voluntary, but decided by both governments,’’ he said.

NAN recalls that Nigeria and the UK in December 2013 signed the agreement which will make it possible for prisoners to return home and complete their terms.

The agreement is yet to be ratified by the parliaments of the two countries.

Also, Tafida said there had been a decline in the number of Nigerians in jails across the UK.

“In 2008 when I assumed office, there were 800 Nigerians serving various terms. But, today, the figure has dropped to about 390."

He attributed the development to less crime, adding that ``those who finished their terms were released.

“Similarly, those without papers are returning home voluntarily as life is tough here.’’

Tafida further said as many as 40 people were usually repatriated monthly under the UK-Nigeria repatriation programme.