|
Nigeria, Britain to harmonise laws on transfer of
prisoners
Nigeria and Britain are to
harmonise laws that would facilitate the transfer of convicted
offenders (prisoners) to both nations in line with international
standards.
This was the outcome of the parley between the President of the
Senate, Senator David Mark and United Kingdom’s Minister of
Immigration, Damian Green in Abuja.
Both leaders affirmed that there was a need for mutual
co-operation that would enhance mutual benefit to both nations.
Already, the Transfer of Convicted Offender (Enactment &
Enforcement) Act Cap. T16 LSN 2004 (Amendment Bill 2001) has
gone through the second reading and is presently at the
Committee stage in the Senate.
Senator Mark stressed that the Committee will soon declare a
public hearing on the prisoners transfer, which will afford all
Nigerians and other stakeholders opportunity to contribute to
the Bill before passage into law.
“We believe both countries stand a chance to benefit in this
move. Every prisoner must be treated on his own merit.
Whatever we do eventually with this Bill would be in the
interest of both nations.” Senator Mark assured.
He thanked the United Kingdom for the bi-lateral ties that
exists between the two countries, saying, “Nigeria would
continue to improve on the existing relationship.”
Earlier, the United Kingdom’s Immigration Minister, Damian Green
said he visited Nigeria to further build up level of
understanding and mutual co-operation in terms of trade, economy
and insecurity which will pave way for infrastructural
development within both countries.
|
