The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to identify and secure the release of Nigerians illegally imprisoned in countries across the globe. At plenary on Thursday, the House adopted this motion moved by Rep. Dennis Idahosa, titled: ‘Need to Ascertain the Number of Nigerian Citizens Being Detained in Foreign Prisons.’
Idahosa said, “The House is concerned about reports that many Nigerians are languishing in foreign prisons, some of whom are being illegally detained, while some are exposed to labour exploitation, poor living conditions, discrimination, sex exploitation and other forms of dehumanizing treatments.
“The House is worried that from a 2019 survey report by the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEPAD), about 16,500 Nigerians who are in prisons outside the country were convicted without legal representation and not knowing why they are in jail.”
According to him, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) was set up to ensure the engagement and participations of Nigerians abroad in the development of Nigeria.
He also noted that according to International Conventions and Treaties, anyone charged with a criminal offence would be entitled to a fair trial within a reasonable period of time by an independent and impartial court established by law.
Idahosa said, “The House believes that the Federal Government needs to employ diplomatic means to assist Nigerians who were wrongly convicted and are being detained in various prisons abroad.”
The Committees on Foreign Affairs, Justice and Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Diaspora Affairs were mandated by the House to ensure compliance.
