In a bid to strengthen the anti-graft war in the country, President
Muhammadu Buhari yesterday signed instruments of ratification for a
number of bilateral agreements on anti- corruption with some countries,
including the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The agreements to be
ratified are the pact on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters,
the agreement on mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial
matters, agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons and extradition
treaty.
In his remarks after the signing of agreement between the
federal government and other entities, President Buhari said he was
delighted to perform the duty of executing instruments of ratification
of certain agreements on behalf of the federal republic of Nigeria,
pursuant to the powers conferred on him by Section 5(1) (a) and (b) of
the 1999 constitution (as amended) and Article 7 of the Vienna
Convention on the law of treaties of 1969.
According to him, the
signing ceremony marked a very important milestone in his
administration’s demonstration of sovereign capacity to fulfill its
international obligations and take important steps for the benefit of
the economy, security and the anti-corruption war within and outside
Nigeria.
The president said, “ The full implementation of the
agreements has, however, been delayed due to the need by both sides to
conclude their respective ratification processes.
“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.
“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”.
Similarly,
President Buhari listed other Instruments of Ratification slated for
execution to include, Charter for the Lake Chad Basin between Nigeria,
Cameroun, Central African Republic, Libya, Niger and the Republic of
Chad.
Others are, African Tax Administration Forum Agreement on
Mutual Assistance in Tax Matters, world Intellectual Property
Organisation Performances and Phonograms Treaty, the World Intellectual
Property Organization Treaty on Audio-Visual Performances and
Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate access to published works for persons who
are blind, visually impaired or otherwise.
The President
expressed hope that the instruments that are signed will reinvigorate
the anti-corruption war and check the illicit flow of funds out of the
country to other jurisdictions, improve national security, food
security, boost the economic and tax regimes and improve the overall
well-being of the country’s creative community.
“All agencies of
government with roles to play under the respective Treaties now ratified
are hereby directed to ensure that they play their anticipated roles in
an effective and responsible manner in order to ensure that we reap the
full benefits of these Agreements. I thank you all for your attention
and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he stated.
Source: Leadership