Buhari Deals Corruption Another Blow, Signs New Antigraft Agreement With UAE

President Muhammadu Buhari has yesterday signed
nine different agreements, chief of which is the
Extradition Treaty between Nigeria and United Arab
Emirates (UAE) meant to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-
corruption campaign.
The agreement will help Nigeria repatriate looted
funds in the UAE.
Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony at the
President Villa, Abuja, the President said that the
agreements signed would enable both countries to
take important steps toward strengthening their
economies and security.
Buhari said, “Today’s ceremony marks a very
important milestone in our demonstration of
sovereign capacity to fulfill our international
obligations and take important steps for the benefit
of our economy, security and the anti-corruption war
within and outside Nigeria.”
“I am happy to note therefore, that pursuant to a
Memorandum presented to the Federal Executive
Council by the Honourable Attorney-General of the
Federation and Minister of Justice, Council has
approved the ratification of the said Agreements,
thus paving the way for today’s ceremony.”
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“With this sovereign act, which has been replicated
in the United Arab Emirates by their responsible
authorities, we are now in a position to utilize these
Agreements fully to foster cooperation between our
respective authorities particularly for the purpose of
prosecuting the anti-corruption campaign of this
Government.’’
It would be recalled that Nigeria and the United Arab
Emirates signed six different agreements to enhance
bilateral relations between them in January 2016 in
Abu Dhabi.
The signing of the agreements on trade, finance and
judicial matters was witnessed by President
Muhammadu Buhari and the Crown Prince of the
United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed
Al Nahyan.
The Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and his
counterpart in the United Arab Emirates, Sultan Bin
Saeed Albadi signed the Judicial Agreements on
Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual
Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters and Mutual
Legal Assistance on Criminal and Commercial
Matters, which include the recovery and repatriation
of stolen wealth.
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Buhari noted that the full implementation of the
agreements was delayed due to the need for both
sides to conclude their respective ratification
processes.
He added that the signing of the agreements was in
demonstration of the nation’s sovereign capacity to
fulfil its international obligations and take important
steps for the benefit of the economy, security and
the anti-corruption war within and outside Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Minister of Justice and Attorney
General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, said
the signing of the treaties was a clear demonstration
of Nigeria’s determination to continue to play its role
as a responsible member of the international
community.
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Other legal instruments between Nigeria and UAE
signed by the President included the Agreement on
Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters;
Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Civil and
Commercial Matters and the Agreement on the
Transfer of Sentenced Persons.
Buhari also signed the Charter for the Lake Chad
Basin between Nigeria, Cameroun, Central African
Republic, Libya, Niger and the Republic of Chad,
African Tax Administration Forum Agreement on
Mutual Assistance in Tax Matters.
Others are the World Intellectual Property
Organisation Performances and Phonograms Treaty;
The World Intellectual Property Organization Treaty
on Audio-Visual Performances.
The Marrakesh Treaty, which is meant to facilitate
access to published works for persons, who are
blind, visually impaired or otherwise was also signed
by the President.

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