JUST IN: Tinubu transmits convicted offenders transfer bill to Senate

President Bola Tinubu. Photo: State House

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to amend Nigeria’s law on the transfer of convicted offenders to enable the country to implement prisoner-transfer agreements with countries outside the Commonwealth.

The President transmitted the Transfer of Convicted Offenders (Enactment and Enforcement) Amendment Bill, 2026, to the Senate for consideration, seeking to strengthen the legal framework governing the transfer of convicted persons between Nigeria and other countries.

The letter transmitting the bill was read at Tuesday’s plenary by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

In the correspondence, Tinubu urged the lawmakers to expedite consideration of the proposed amendment, expressing hope that it would receive prompt legislative attention.

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 agreements between the Federal Government and other countries on the transfer of convicted offenders.

According to the President, the proposed legislation is intended to give effect to the provisions of any scheme or agreement reached between Nigeria and the government of another country concerning the transfer of convicted offenders.

A key provision of the 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.

Tinubu said the proposed amendment would provide the legal basis for implementing agreements with countries outside the Commonwealth, potentially broadening Nigeria’s options for negotiating and enforcing prisoner-transfer arrangements.

The existing law provides the framework for the transfer of convicted offenders, while the proposed amendment seeks to facilitate the application of such arrangements beyond the Commonwealth, subject to relevant agreements with other countries.

Prisoner-transfer arrangements generally provide a legal mechanism for convicted persons to serve their sentences in another country under agreed conditions. Such agreements can help address the legal and administrative issues involved in transferring offenders between jurisdictions.

The proposed amendment, however, will require consideration by the National Assembly before it can become law.

Appealing to the lawmakers to give the bill expeditious consideration, the President 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 bill has been transmitted to the Senate in accordance with Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which provides for the President’s role in the legislative process.