•FG to push prisoner transfer deal with Tanzanian authorities — Foreign Affairs Ministry By Nkiruka Nnorom Two Nigerian men recently released from prisons in Tanzania have appealed to the Federal Government to urgently intervene and secure the transfer of other Nigerians still languishing in jails across the East African country. The ex-inmates, Okechukwu and Henry, told Saturday Vanguard separately that poor prison conditions, lack of parole for foreigners, and long delays in trial were worsening the plight of Nigerians convicted and those awaiting trial in Tanzania. They noted that over 30 Nigerians were jailed in different prisons in Tanzania with more than 20 in Ukonga Central Prison in Dar es Salaam alone and appealed to the government to take advantage of the prison transfer agreement with the country to bring the inmates back to the country. In a swift response, the Federal Government said it would take up the issue of a prisoner transfer agreement with Tanzania as part of efforts to secure the return of Nigerians serving jail terms in the East African country One of us died, we served 15 years Narrating his experience, Okechukwu, who was deported to Nigeria three months ago after spending15 years in prison, said he was among four Nigerians sentenced to 30 years for drug-related offences. One of them died in prison in 2016. “There were four of us. Out of the four people, one passed away in prison in 2016 while I was there. So, three of us remained,” he said. He explained that although they were sentenced to 30 years, Tanzanian law requires a convict to serve at least 20 years. He explained that after three failed appeals, their lawyer pleaded for the sentence to count from the day they entered prison in March 2011. “As God will have it, the judge gave us that privilege. So, we started counting from 2011. Our release date was supposed to be 2031,” he said. He noted that their release was fast-tracked in 2020 when Tanzania’s President granted a general remission. “In 2020, the woman president pardoned all cases. Those on life sentences, who have served for 20 years went home. Those on 30 years had five years removed. For us, they removed five years. So, instead of 2031 that was supposed to be our release date, it became 2026. That is why I came back this year,” Okechukwu said. He added that upon release, deportees are held by immigration and given three weeks to provide their own tickets or risk being returned to prison. “After our release, we were taken to immigration detention and given three weeks to provide our own air tickets. They don’t buy tickets for anybody. Everybody has to fight for himself. God helped our families; we bought tickets and came back home,” he said. I spent 10 years, I was not guilty Henry, who was deported to Nigeria in October 2025, said he was arrested in 2016 on allegations of drug trafficking and spent six years on trial before being sentenced to life imprisonment. He was later discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal. “I was accused of drug trafficking and sentenced to life imprisonment. I was on trial for six years and I was later jailed. I was released by the appeal court,” he said. “They deported me because I was not found guilty. I did not finish my sentence,” he explained. Over 20 Nigerians still in Ukonga alone Both men said the number of Nigerians in Tanzanian prisons was significant, with many serving long terms for offences they did not commit. Okechukwu estimated that more than 20 Nigerians were currently in Ukonga Central Prison in Dar es Salaam alone, with four serving life sentences and others serving between 20 and 32 years. He said Nigerians were also in other regional prisons. Henry corroborated this, saying: “Many of our people have the same issue. Many are serving life imprisonment. Many are serving 30 years. Some have spent even 15 years there. Some have spent 10 years, 12 years, 14 years.” “The fact is that there are many that committed the offence. There are many that were accused. They are still in jail and the prison conditions there are no good. People are suffering so much,” Henry added. Okechukwu raised concerns about inmate health, revealing that: “About two of the inmates now have pipes on their private parts due to sickness. Three people I told you about died of hypertension and liver problems. Some people cannot hold it. That’s the challenge we have there.” He noted that while inmates can access lawyers, they must pay for them. “The Tanzanian government does not provide free legal representation,” he said. Call for prisoner transfer agreement The two ex-inmates said Tanzanian law provides for prison transfer, which allows convicted foreigners to serve the remainder of their sentences in their home countries. They, however, said that the process must be
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