President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday signed a bilateral agreement with the government of the United Arab Emirate, that will the see the Mddle-Eastern nation aid Nigeria in recovering stolen funds invested in the United Arab Emirate by Nigerian public officials.
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 Nigeria’s government.
“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”, the statement said.
Speaking at a reception after the signing of the agreements, President Buhari 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 that the relationship between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirate will be strengthened by President Buhari’s visit and the signing of the agreements.
