By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
OVER 270 Nigerians languishing in Ethiopia’s Kaliti Prison face dire conditions as a Federal High Court in Abuja orders their repatriation.
The court also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to bring the detainees home after Ethiopian authorities declared they could no longer provide for their welfare.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, delivering the judgment, stated that the Nigerian government must fulfill its statutory responsibility to protect its citizens abroad.
Furthermore, he described the detainees’ ordeal as a violation of fundamental human rights, requiring urgent intervention.
The court’s ruling followed a suit filed by Sunday Mmaduagwu, Henry Anyanwu, and Leonard Okafor, who represented the detainees.
They alleged that the Nigerians in Kaliti Prison were subjected to extreme maltreatment, including inadequate food, lack of medical care, and physical abuse.
Moreover, Mmaduagwu, who visited Kaliti Prison, deposed in court documents that some detainees were arrested arbitrarily while transiting Ethiopia, dispossessed of money, and falsely accused of crimes.
Similarly, language barriers and lack of interpreters left many without a fair trial, while prolonged torture forced others to admit to fabricated offenses.
“The situation is appalling,” Mmaduagwu testified. “Inmates are denied access to family, lawyers, or any form of support.
“Weekly deaths occur due to the harsh conditions, yet the Ethiopian authorities have declared they cannot sustain the detainees and have repeatedly asked the Nigerian Embassy to take them back.”
NiDCOM, in a public statement, acknowledged the grim realities in Kaliti Prison.
According to the commission, detainees are fed substandard meals unfit even for animals and receive only paracetamol for illnesses, including severe conditions like kidney failure.
The case referenced multiple human rights provisions, including Sections 33, 34, and 35 of the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The plaintiffs argued that Nigeria’s failure to intervene violated the detainees’ rights to dignity, fair trial, and access to justice.
Justice Ekwo dismissed the argument by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NiDCOM that they lacked responsibility in the matter.
“The applicants have made a compelling case. The 1st and 2nd respondents cannot evade their statutory obligations,” he ruled.
Although the court declined to declare outright that the detainees’ rights had been breached, it ordered the Nigerian government to act immediately.
The judge directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NiDCOM to coordinate efforts to repatriate all affected Nigerians.
Moreover, the detained Nigerians include travelers falsely accused of immigration violations and others arrested during disputes with locals.
Reports indicate that even minor disagreements lead to mass beatings by prison guards, with some detainees succumbing to injuries.
The court’s decision comes as a relief to families who have spent years seeking justice for their loved ones.
“My cousin has been in Kaliti Prison for over five years without a trial,” said Mmaduagwu. “This ruling gives us hope, but it is now up to the government to act swiftly.”
Ethiopian authorities have reportedly refused to release the bodies of deceased detainees until Nigeria takes responsibility for their citizens.
Moreover, weekly deaths, attributed to starvation and untreated illnesses, have created further urgency for immediate action.
Justice Ekwo emphasized the gravity of the situation, urging the government to prioritize the detainees’ welfare and uphold Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens globally.
