TINUBU SEEKS REPS’ APPROVAL TO EXPAND TRANSFER OF CONVICTED OFFENDERS AGREEMENTS

President Bola Tinubu has asked the House of Representatives to amend an existing law to allow Nigeria to implement agreements on the transfer of convicted offenders with countries outside the Commonwealth.

The request was contained in a letter dated October 20, 2026, addressed to House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

The proposed legislation, titled the Transfer of Convicted Offenders (Enactment and Enforcement) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, seeks to broaden the scope of Nigeria’s current prisoner transfer arrangements.

According to Tinubu, the amendment would give effect to agreements between Nigeria and other countries for the transfer of convicted offenders.

It would also allow the president to extend the law’s application to a country through an order published in the Federal Gazette, provided Nigeria has entered into a relevant agreement with that country.

Tinubu urged lawmakers to give the bill prompt consideration, saying the changes would support cooperation with countries beyond the Commonwealth.

The bill is now before the House for consideration. The president’s letter did not name countries that might be covered or outline how future transfers would be implemented.