Tinubu Seeks Faster Prisoner Transfers With New Bill

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to fast-track a bill seeking to expand Nigeria’s legal framework for transferring convicted offenders between the country and foreign governments, including non-Commonwealth nations.

The President transmitted the Transfer of Convicted Offenders (Enactment and Enforcement) Amendment Bill, 2026, to the Senate on Tuesday for legislative consideration pursuant to Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

In a letter to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, the President urged lawmakers to expedite consideration of the proposed legislation, expressing hope for a speedy legislative process.

The bill seeks to amend the Transfer of Convicted Offenders (Enactment and Enforcement) Act, Cap. T16, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to facilitate the implementation of prisoner-transfer agreements between Nigeria and other countries.

Specifically, the proposed amendment would empower the President to extend the application of the Act to countries with which Nigeria has entered into relevant agreements through an order published in the Federal Gazette.

It is also designed to provide the legal framework for implementing such agreements with countries outside the Commonwealth, broadening the scope of Nigeria’s existing prisoner-transfer arrangements.

The proposed legislation is intended to give effect to agreements or schemes reached between the Federal Government and foreign governments on the transfer of convicted offenders.

Making a case for speedy consideration, Tinubu wrote: “While it is my hope that the Senate will consider this submission expeditiously, please accept, Distinguished Senate President and Distinguished Senators, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

The Senate bill has been transmitted to its committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action.