400 Nigerians in South African prisons – Dambazau

The Minister of Interior, AbdulRahman Dambazzau, has disclosed that about 400 Nigerians are currently serving jail terms in South African prisons for various offences. He spoke yesterday at a joint press briefing with the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, on the outcome of their visit to South Africa over the recent xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals, including Nigerians in that country.

Dambazau said though he was yet to get details of their offences, most of them were convicted on crimes bordering on drugs, fraud and prostitution. He ruled out the possibility of repatriating the prisoners, saying there was no prisoner exchange agreement between Nigeria and South Africa.

Dambazau, however, said Nigerians in South Africa involved in crime were in the minority, noting that majority of them are professionals who contribute to the country’s socio-economic development. He urged Nigerians in that country not to get involved in criminal activities to tarnish their image and that of Nigeria.

During a meeting with his South African counterpart, Dambazau said he emphasized that due process of the law as well as the right to fair-hearing should be observed in dealing with those alleged to have committed offences. “We urged the leadership of the Nigerian union in South Africa to register all Nigerians in various parts of the country and take the list to the High Commission. With that, the mission would be able to address to their issues,” he said.