UK government doesn’t want Nigerian criminals in its prisons again, plans to build one for them in Nigeria

shakirudeen taiwo

March 9, 2018 4:11 PM

The plans are part of the prisoner transfer agreement between the two countries.

The British government has commenced plans to build a £700,000 prison wing in Nigeria which is to house criminal Nigerians in its prison.

This announcement was made by Boris Johnson, UK foreign secretary, via a statement to House of Common on Thursday, March 8.

“The provision of this assistance is in line with the Government’s security and stability objectives in West Africa. FCO officials carry out regular reviews of our programmes in Nigeria to ensure funding is directed only to approved recipients,” Johnson said in the letter.

Statistics from the UK’s Ministry of Justice show that there are 320 Nigerian prisoners in UK jails - 3% of the UK’s foreign prisoner population, as at 2016.

The planned prison building is a 112-bed wing which would be attached to the KiriKiri maximum security prison in Apapa, Lagos.

It will be funded by the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund Migration Returns Fund.

In January 2016, Nigerian and British governments signed prisoners' transfer agreement, and this move is part of the terms of the deal. More so, this agreement is in compliant with the United Nations' standard minimum rules for prisoners.

According to these rules, all convicted criminals in jails should be treated with the respect due to their inherent dignity, value as human beings. These rules also include prisoners' religious beliefs and moral precepts.

shakirudeen taiwo

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