President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has transmitted the Transfer of Convicted Offenders Enactment and Enforcement Amendment Bill, 2026, to the Senate for consideration and necessary legislative action.
The proposed legislation, conveyed in a letter from the President and read during plenary, seeks to amend the existing law governing the transfer of convicted offenders between Nigeria and other countries under international agreements.
President Tinubu explained that the amendment is intended to strengthen the legal framework for the implementation of agreements relating to the transfer of persons convicted of criminal offences between Nigeria and other cooperating nations.
The bill specifically seeks to empower the President, through an order published in the Federal Gazette, to extend the application of the law to countries with which Nigeria has entered into relevant agreements, including non-Commonwealth nations.
The proposed amendment is expected to broaden the scope of Nigeria’s existing legal provisions on the transfer of convicted offenders and facilitate the implementation of international agreements entered into by the Federal Government.
President Tinubu, in his communication to the Upper Chamber, urged the lawmakers to accord the proposed legislation expeditious consideration in view of its importance to the country’s international legal cooperation.
Following the reading of the presidential communication during plenary, the Senate referred the bill to its Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action.
The proposed legislation forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework for international cooperation in criminal justice administration.
The Senate is expected to undertake the necessary legislative processes towards consideration of the proposed amendment.
EmemMaria Ntedodom Offiong, nipr
Deputy Director (Head: Information, Press and Public Relations)
+2347082203400
Emy.offiong@fmino.gov.ng
27th October, 2026.
