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By Dickson Okafor
A Non Governmental Organisation, Take Back Nigeria Initiative (TBNI) has filed a suit against the Federal Government for failing to evacuate Nigerians in Ethiopia’s prison.
In the suit: No FHC/ABJ/CS/305/2024 filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja the group’s counsel, N. Abumchukwu Okoye is asking the court to order the government and the relevant agencies responsible for the welfare of Nigerians and also having statutory duty over its foreign affairs, to evacuate Nigerians trapped in Kaliti Prison.
TBNI said it filed the suit at the end of the 14-day ultimatum given to the government to respond to the demand by the government of Ethiopia through the Nigerian Embassy, to evacuate its citizens.
According to the group, the government of Ethiopia had explained that it is unable to cater for the prisoners because of financial constraints. Prison authorities said it has no food, no money, no firewood and no medic-care to take care of Nigerian citizens.
The applicants contended that failure of the government to bring back the prisoners violates international treaty and convention on minimum rights of prisoners and Nigeria is complicit through its officials. In the affidavit, the applicants depose that Nigerian detainees and prisoners are dying by their numbers.
Justice Inyang Ekwo is expected to hear the case today.
