The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) to repatriate 270 Nigerians currently detained in Kaliti Prison, Ethiopia. The Ethiopian government cited its inability to provide for the detainees due to budget constraints, prompting the court’s intervention.
Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the ruling, stating that the government agencies must fulfill their statutory responsibilities. The case was brought before the court by three individuals representing relatives of the imprisoned Nigerians.
The applicants revealed shocking conditions in Kaliti Prison, including severe food shortages, inadequate medical care, and mistreatment by prison officials. Many detainees reportedly faced unfair trials due to language barriers and the absence of interpreters. Some were coerced into confessing to crimes they did not commit, while others remain unaware of the charges against them.
According to testimonies, detainees suffer from untreated illnesses, with some reportedly dying weekly. The Ethiopian authorities have urged the Nigerian Embassy to facilitate their return, as the country can no longer sustain their care.
The court acknowledged the urgency of the matter, emphasizing that the welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad is a fundamental responsibility of the government. While declining to declare a violation of the detainees’ rights by NIDCOM and the Foreign Ministry, the judge ordered immediate action to ensure the safe return of the imprisoned Nigerians.
This ruling underscores the importance of protecting citizens’ rights abroad and responding to humanitarian crises involving nationals detained in foreign countries.
