Buhari signs extradition agreement, 3 others

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed four important treaties namely: the Extradition Treaty, the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Civil and Commercial Matters, and the Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at the State House in Abuja, the President said 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 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.

He said: “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 benefit of our economy, security and the anti-corruption war within and outside Nigeria.

“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 utilize these Agreements fully to foster cooperation between our respective authorities particularly for the purpose of prosecuting the anti-corruption campaign of this government.”

The President also approved 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 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.

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