The Senate in Nigeria is at the verge of initiating action that could lead to the regularisation of the agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom on the transfer of sentenced persons.

The motion moved by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, among other things mandated the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Foreign Affairs to invite the Attorney General of the Federation to shed light on the issue of prisoners transfer.

The agreement between Nigeria and government of the United Kingdom on the transfer of sentenced persons is said to have violated the basic tenets of the fundamental human right.

‎Nigeria and the government of the UK entered into an agreement in 2014 for the transfer of sentenced persons in both countries and based on this agreement, the senate is concerned that the government of UK has commenced the return of several prisoners to Nigeria.

‎This is in view of constitutional provisions of section 12, which provides that no treaty between the federation and any other country shall have the force of law except such treaty has been enacted into law by the National Assembly.

‎Through the request of the motion, the Senate directed its committee on Judiciary and Foreign Affairs to invite Minister of Foreign Affairs and Comptroller General of Nigerian Prison Service to brief the Senate on their level of involvement and compliance.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, stated that all constitutional and Legal requirement should be fully complied with, urging its committee on Judiciary and Foreign Affairs to ‎fast-track the report and conclude it within a month, to enable the Senate determine further course of action.

‎The Senate also, through the motion, request an update on status of ratification of all treaties from 1999 to 2017.

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