The Federal Government warned, last night, that the United Arab Emirate, UAE, and Nigeria would no longer be safe haven for criminals following last week’s sealing of a string of agreements between the two countries.

 

 

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, issued the warning in an  interview last night.

 

 

Malami, who was part of the Federal Government delegation that signed the Mutual Legal Assistance, MLA, in Dubai, said with the signing of the MLA, the Nigerian government was sending a strong signal to criminals that it would no longer be business as usual in the two countries.

 

 

The minister said the signing of the agreement had created a strong platform to checkmate illegal movement of funds and assets to the two nations.

 

 

The minister said: “The essence of the agreements signed by the two countries is to lay adequate foundation for mutual engagement for crime prevention, commercial interests, extradition and repatriation or claiming of looted funds.

 

 

“I can say that nothing is ruled out with the signing of the agreement, which has taken off. It is to serve a vital notice to criminals in Nigeria that this government will not allow the business-as-usual attitude, which enabled some elements to make away with the assets of Nigeria and stash away for their selfish interest.

 

 

“What the agreement seeks to do is to enable UAE to assist Nigeria to obtain exhibits, exchange information in the prosecution of offenders of crimes which was not possible before the coming into effect of the agreements.”

 

 

The minister explained that with the agreement in place, it would be possible for Nigeria to get timely and accurate information from Dubai on any issue relating to crime and commercial matters with a view to deciding whether or not to prosecute those involved and extradite them.

 

 

According to him, the sealing of the pact with Dubai has made it possible for the two nations to initiate investigations and prosecute those suspected to have committed crimes in their countries and repatriate same to serve jail terms back home.

 

 

Asked if the agreement was targeted at any particular group, the minister said the signing of the deal was in line with the zero tolerance disposition of the Buhari administration towards corruption.

 

Malami said while the government did not have any group in mind, it was, however, clear on its motive to stop corrupt elements from milking the nation and getting away with their crimes.

 

 

Nigeria’s Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) and his UAE counterpart, Sultan Bin Saeed Albadi signed the Judicial Agreements on Extradition, and Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

 

 

The six agreements which were signed in Dubai last week by President Buhari and his counterpart centred on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, as well as Commercial Matters, including the recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth.

 

 

The deal has the potential to trap billions of dollars in bank deposits and choice property suspected to have been secured with proceeds of fraud.

 

 

Under the new deal, such funds could be frozen pending the prosecution and conviction of offenders and the repatriation of what the elements stole in Nigeria.

 

 

Others are: Extradition Treaty, Transfer of Prisoners, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, as well as Commercial Matters, including the recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth.

 

 

 

 

 

Credit : Vanguard