Nigeria signs agreements with UAE on extradiction, recovery of stolen funds
Federal Government has signed different bilateral agreements – on trade, taxation, investments and judiciary – with the United Arab Emirates.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who is visiting UAE, and the Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, witnessed the agreements signed in Abu Dhabi.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, from UAE stated that Nigeria's Ministers of Finance, Trade/Investment, and Justice signed the respective agreements on behalf of Nigerian government.
According to the statement, the agreement on trade was to promote investments and business dealings amongst the two countries, while the judicial bilateral agreement will enable the country to extradite, or transfer persons serving jail terms.The agreements were essentially on trade, finance and judicial matters.
Adesina said, “Nigeria's Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, and the UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Obaid Attayar, signed the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, while the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Okechukwu Enelamah, signed the agreement on Trade Promotion and Protection with the UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs.
“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 includes the recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth.”
President Buhari, when speaking at a reception after the signing of the agreements,reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption and restoring Nigeria's dignity in the comity of nations.
He also urged all Islamic countries to support the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and denounce the atrocities of Boko Haram as un-Islamic and against the teachings of the Holy Prophet.
In his remarks, Crown Prince Zayed Al Nahyan said the relationship between Nigeria and the UAE will be strengthened by President Buhari's visit and the signing of the agreements.