27 Nigerians languishing in Tanzania prisons without trial

A former Chairman of the Law Society Charity organization, Nigel Doddy, on Wednesday raised alarm about the cases of 27 Nigerians languishing in Tanzania prisons without trial.

He took the matter to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Doddy, who is from the United Kingdom and had visited Tanzanian prisons, urged the Nigerian government to step in and ensure that the Nigerians get justice.

He said: “I’m here to follow up on some reports I gathered in Tanzania two years ago, concerning Nigerians being detained without trial. I was able to identify 27 Nigerians who were detained at the time without trial

“Importantly, at least four of them remain detained today. The problem is detention without trial. I’m not concerned about whether they are guilty or innocent, what I am concerned about is that they should be taken to courts for trial.

“The delays provide opportunities for evidences to get lost or stolen.” he said

He pointed out that Tanzanian lawyers have been extorting monies from those Nigerians in prisons without doing anything for them.

He also said that the other issue that concerns him was the humanitarian matter concerning Nigerians in Tanzania.

According to him, he was able to identify three humanitarian cases.

He said “The first was a pastor being detained for immigration reasons, awaiting deportation back to Nigeria. For six to eight months, this has not been done. Most seriously, a youth who also has immigration issues and in mental hospital, was sent to prison. He has been there for several months, and I think the Nigerian high commissioner should take action to secure his return to Nigeria

“The third humanitarian issue is a Nigerian woman who has been sentenced to life imprisonment, clearly guilty. She should be repatriated to Nigeria to serve her sentence here.” he said

He also alleged of rampant stereotype issues against any Nigerian entering Tanzania.

While noting that diplomatic missions cannot interfere with judicial processes of other countries, he said that they can mount pressure on officials of the country to respect their own rules.

Speaking at the brief meeting, Dabiri-Erewa, thanked him for his concern for the 27 Nigerians in Tanzania prisons.

“We will look at these matters and ensure that justice is done quickly.” she said

She assured that the new Nigeria High Commissioner in Tanzania would be on top of the issues.

She also appealed to Nigerians wherever they go to continue to remain good ambassadors of Nigeria.

For the woman sentenced to life imprisonment in Tanzania, she noted that nothing can be done with her case since there is no transfer treaty between Nigeria and Tanzania.

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