President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday signed a deal with the United Arab Emirates, UAE, among which was an agreement to extradite Nigerians who abscond to the middle-eastern country after committing crimes in the country.
Corrupt Nigerian officials and their cronies have been using the UAE as a major money laundering destination since the United States and Europe made it more difficult to use their financial systems to move illicit funds.
Other aspects of the deal include: an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, agreement on mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters, agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons.
Buhari also signed other instruments of ratification on a charter for the Lake Chad Basin between Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Libya, Niger and the Republic of Chad; African tax administration forum agreement on mutual assistance in tax matters; and World Intellectual Property Organisation Performances and Phonograms Treaty.
Others are the World Intellectual Property Organization Treaty on Audio-Visual Performances, and the Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise.
In a series of tweets, the President wrote, “I’ve just signed Instruments of Ratification for a number of agreements covering AntiCorruption, Tax Admin & Intellectual Property Protection.
“Today’s ratification of Agreements is an important step, in line with the delivery of our Anti-Corruption & Economic Diversification Vision.
“I have directed all relevant Government agencies and bodies to commence immediate implementation of these Agreements.”