Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has disclosed that Nigeria is yet to have any agreement with the Peoples Republic of China over prisoner transfer even as she urged Nigerian citizens in China to abide by the laws of that country.
The former member of the House of Representatives made this revelation on the sideline of an international seminar on Nigeria-China relations in Abuja on Thursday.
She said that there were about 500 Nigerians in Chinese prisons detained for various offences even as she refuted claims that there were thousands of Nigerians detained in Chinese prisons.
“You hear 2000 but that is exaggerated; I think we have less than 500 Nigerians in Chinese prisons.
“Until we sign a treaty; there is no treaty between both countries for prisoners’ transfer when that exists the transfer of prisoners would be possible.
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“We get a lot of appeals and some prisoners say they want to move from one prison there to another, it is not going to happen.
“We have been talking to them but their law is their law; my appeal to Nigerians is to obey the laws of that country because it is getting tougher; they have sanctions and they follow through.”
The former lawmaker also noted that Nigerian businesses were thriving in China and tasked Nigerians to learn from the Chinese culture of discipline and persistence in promoting national development.
“Discipline and leadership are what we should learn from China; they have a plan for the next 20 years, even the young ones in schools are being groomed for that plan.
“ They also have we can-do spirit, it is working for them.
She also called for continuous support for President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s effort in the fight against corruption.
Innocent Odoh, Abuja
