President Muhammadu Buhari has signed several international agreements with the United Arab Emirates which will aid his administration in its anti-corruption policy.
The agreements are 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; and Extradition Treaty.
According to the President, the agreements would foster cooperation between Nigeria and other international authorities on his administration’s fight against corruption.
He said “With this sovereign act, which has been replicated in the United Arab Emirates by their responsible authorities, we are now in a position to utilise these agreements fully to foster cooperation between our respective authorities particularly for the purpose of prosecuting the anti-corruption campaign of this government”
President Buhari described the signing of the agreements as an important step which would greatly benefit Nigeria’s economy, security and fight against corruption.
The President further signed other agreements such as 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; World Intellectual Property Organisation Performances and Phonograms Treaty; World Intellectual Property Organisation Treaty on Audio-Visual Performances; and Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise.
Expressing his hope that the agreements would have a positive impact, he said “It is my hope that these instruments which are signed today (Thursday) will reinvigorate the anti-corruption war and check the illicit flow of funds out of our country to other jurisdictions, improve national security, food security, boost our economy and tax regimes and improve the overall well-being of our creative community”
