The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to intervene and secure the release of Nigerians who are being detained illegally in prisons abroad.
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The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion moved at plenary on Thursday in Abuja by Hon. Dennis Idahosa.
Moving the motion, Idahosa said Nigerian citizens are in almost all countries of the world, making exploits in sports, technology, business, education and politics and have been ranked as one of the highest educated immigrants in foreign countries.
He said due to the large population of the Nigerian diaspora community, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) was established to provide for the engagement and participation of Nigerians in the Diaspora in the development of the country.
The lawmaker noted that International Conventions and Treaties prescribe that anyone charged with a criminal offence is entitled to a fair hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial tribunal established by law.
Idahosa stressed that the World Bank estimated remittances of around N24.3 billion per year and 6% of the country’s GDP, thereby making Nigeria one of the highest-ranking countries of the world in remittances inflow.
He added that remittances of Nigerians living abroad have been of significant impact in the development and economic growth of the country.
Idahosa however expressed concern about reports that many Nigerians are languishing in foreign prisons, some of whom are being illegally detained, while some are exposed to labour exploitation, poor living conditions, discrimination, sex exploitation and other forms of dehumanizing treatments.
He expressed worry that a 2019 survey report by the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEPAD) revealed that about 16,500 Nigerians, who are in prisons outside the country, were convicted without legal representation and not knowing why they are in jail.
The lawmaker said the federal government needs to employ diplomatic means to assist Nigerians who were wrongly convicted and are being detained in various prisons abroad.
The House urged “the federal government to intervene and secure the release of Nigerians who are being detained illegally in prisons abroad”.
It also mandated its Committees on Foreign Affairs, Justice and Inter-Parliamentary Relations to ensure compliance.
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