The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed ongoing efforts to facilitate the repatriation of over 270 Nigerian citizens currently imprisoned in Kaliti Prison, Ethiopia.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, acting spokesperson for the Ministry, disclosed on Tuesday that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, recently engaged the Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria in discussions, during which the plight of Nigerians in Ethiopian prisons was raised.

Ebienfa noted that although Nigeria and Ethiopia lack an existing extradition agreement, plans are underway to establish Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance collaboration between the two nations.

This development follows a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 14, ordering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to take immediate action to repatriate the detainees. The judgment, delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo, was in response to a lawsuit filed on behalf of the imprisoned Nigerians.

Justice Ekwo issued an order of mandamus compelling the ministry and NiDCOM to fulfill their statutory duties. The order came after the Ethiopian government reportedly declared an inability to budget for the prisoners’ food.

“The applicants have made a credible case for this court to issue an order of mandamus to compel the 1st and 2nd respondents to perform their statutory functions, and I so hold,” Justice Ekwo stated in the ruling.

Efforts to secure the return of the detained Nigerians underscore the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad, particularly in cases where humanitarian concerns are at stake.