President MuhammaduBuhari, this week, signed a number important treaties, among which are the Extradition Treaty, Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Civil and Commercial Matters, and Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at the State House in Abuja, the President said that the instruments were signed to reinvigorate the anti-corruption war of the present administration and check the illicit flow of funds out of the country to other jurisdictions.
He said that the instruments would improve national security, food security, boost the country’s economic and tax regimes and improve the overall well-being of the creative community.
“I am delighted to perform today, the duty of executing Instruments of Ratification of certain Agreements on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, pursuant to the powers conferred on me by Section 5(1) (a) and (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Article 7 of the Vienna Convention on the law of treaties of 1969.
“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 benefi t of our economy, security and the anticorruption war within and outside Nigeria.
“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,” he said.
Th e President also commendably approved the 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; World Intellectual Property Organisation Performances and Phonograms Treaty; 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.
He directed government agencies with roles to play under the respective treaties to ensure that they play their roles in an effective and responsible manner in order to ensure that the country reaps the full benefits of the agreements.
Though many agreements were signed, the fact remains that the sovereign act, in many ways, appears to be the most important of the agreements mainly because the UAE is, among other places, chosen by corrupt Nigerians to hide their loot, the most attractive and fashionable haven.
Th is agreement, therefore, is auspicious and timely mainly because, as the President has pointed out, it would re-invigorate the anti-corruption war, improve inter-border cooperation among the countries and enhance their task of ensuring the security of lives and property.
It would also assist anti-corruption agencies, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to trace looted funds stashed in Dubai and extradite the looters to Nigeria to face prosecution.
Most of the times, the failure to force people back to Nigeria from Dubai is the reason why most looters have properties in Dubai.
So, it is fashionable for looters to keep their loot in Dubai and tie it down there with properties.
Th e treaty will now assist the EFCC to trace looted funds and seek assistance from the UAE for the extradition of the concerned persons when necessary.
Yet, as the President is commended for this bold initiative, which clearly shows his determination to combat corruption, it must be said that institutions, especially the judiciary, upon which a lot will depend to execute these agreements, should be strengthened.
To achieve comprehensive success in this important war against corruption, however, the government should also have similar treaties or agreements and other legitimate instruments with countries like the UK, USA and others where loots from Nigeria are taken to and kept secretly.
