THE Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) yesterday described as worrisome the huge number of Nigerians serving prison sentences in foreign jails.

The Executive Director of SERAP, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, spoke in the wake of reports, which indicated that over 800 Nigerians were in Togolese jails, 457 in Brazil, 400 in the United Kingdom and many others in jail in Asian countries.

Mumuni told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the rate of unemployment, insecurity and poverty in the country, was partly responsible for the trend.

He called on the Federal Government to create more employment opportunities for its citizens to discourage them from travelling to other countries to seek greener pastures.

Mumuni said it was unfortunate that many Nigerians were desperate to travel abroad despite the enormous human and natural resources the country was blessed with.

He said it was disturbing that some Nigerians, in their search for better opportunities, often found themselves on the wrong side of the law in foreign countries.

"I think before travelling, they should be given a kind of orientation on the laws existing in the land they are going to.

"Some of them are in prison for violating immigration laws and other minor offences," Mumuni said.

He charged Nigerian embassies and high commissions to live up to their duties by investigating the charges preferred against Nigerians and come to their aid.

http://odili.net/news/source/2012/apr/13/1.html

No problem is that is where they belong. I only pity the innocent ones if indeed there are.
SERVES THEM RIGHT!