Tinubu seeks Senate approval for bill to allow Nigerians convicted abroad to serve sentences at home

President Bola Tinubu has urged the Senate to pass the Transfer of Convicted Offenders and Enforcement Amendment Bill 2026.

Tinubu’s request ‌⁠⁠‌‍⁠⁠‍‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠is contained in a letter conveying the bill, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read at plenary in Abuja on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

“Pursuant to Section 58, Subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999, as amended, I forward, herewith the Transfer of Convicted Offenders’ Enhancement and Enforcement Amendment Bill 2026 for the consideration of the Senate,” Tinubu noted.

Tinubu seeks $22bn foreign loans for 2026–2027 projects

According to the president, the bill seeks to amend the transfer of convicted
offenders enforcement act to give effect to provisions of any scheme, agreement for transfer of convicted offenders between the federal government and government of any other country.

He said the bill also sought to empower the president, via an order of published gazette, to apply the act to any country with which such an agreement had been made, including non-commonwealth countries.

Akpabio, thereafter, referred the bill to the Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative actions.