The Nigeria Senate on Tuesday began discussion on various agreements entered into, by the United Kingdom and Nigeria over transfer of sentenced persons.
In a motion which was moved by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, he pointed out that there was confusion in one of the agreements signed by former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke on 9th January, 2014.
Ekweremadu posited that the United Kingdom was currently applying compulsory transfer of sentenced persons back to Nigeria, pointing that the “compulsory” clause was not part of the agreement.
“Further aware that the United Kingdom has referred to the agreement as compulsory, whereas, the content of the agreement made no mention, nor indicated that the agreement was compulsory,” he said.
In his contribution, James Manager reminded the red chambers that there were several agreements entered into that bothers on sentenced persons in the United Kingdom.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe on his part suggested that the Minister of interior be invited to brief the Senate on the implementation of those agreements, pointing that the chamber needed to be informed in order to find lasting solutions.
“Mr President, distinguished colleagues, you recall that we have resolved not to invite heads of agencies in matters like this, but the Minister in charge. If the Minister decided to come with the affected agency’s head, it alright”, he noted.
Part of concerns, Ekweremadu maintained was that international agreement not subjected to legislative debates may not have the force of law, hence, the rights of those affected might have been breached.
In his ruling after various contributions, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki referred the matter to the joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Judiciary and human rights.
He also asked the Committee to invite the Minister of Interior to brief the Senate on the level of implementation of those agreements.
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