The Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Fulvius Rusticu, yesterday June 19th revealed plans by the Italian Government to repatriate 700 Nigerian prisoners currently serving jail time in Italian prisons. While speaking with pressmen in Abuja, Fulvius said Italian and Nigerian Govt officials were in talks for a Transfer Agreement (PTA) and would meet first week in July in Rome to conclude negotiations. He said bringing the prisoner closer home is in the interest of the prisoners
“Each country is responsible for its prisons; the logic in signing a PTA is that we think that it is better for Nigerians and even Italians to serve their terms at home. Already to be in prisons is not a nice experience, being abroad is even worse, so given the prisoner the chance to return home is in their own interest. It is very rare for a prisoner to want to stay in a foreign country, we have cases of Italians serving in prisons abroad and they look forward, and are happy to return home,” he said
No fewer than 15,316 Nigerians are in various prisons abroad with the largest No. of 752 in the UK.