Britain to transfer Ibori to Nigerian prison

The governments of the United Kingdom and Nigeria on Wednesday finalized and signed an agreement to move Nigerians serving jails terms in UK to Nigeria to complete their sentences.

As part of the deal, the British government has made a pledge of one million pounds (about N280 million) to assist in the reformation of Nigerian prisons to ease the stress of the inmates.

A former governor of Delta State, James Ibori who was convicted and jailed in London is said to be among those to be affected in the transfer to complete their jail term in Nigeria.

Ibori still has about six months to complete his jail term.

Mr. Jeremy Wright, the United Kingdom Minister of Justice, made the extent of the agreement known when he led a UK team to visit the Minister of Interior to finalise the process of prisoner exchange between the two countries.

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He said under the agreement, Nigerians in British prisons would be repatriated to complete their jail terms in the country.

Wright told the minister the importance of the two countries respecting the agreement, saying there is need for the state of prisons in Nigeria to be improved.

Wright, who led a five-man delegation to the ministry, said even though the prisoners were paying for the crimes they might have committed, conditions in detention centres where they were staying should be made humane and accommodating.

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