Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday signed nine international
agreements that will strengthen the anti-corruption war, stabilize the
economy and improve the security situation in the country. The agreement which covers Anti-Corruption, Tax Admin and
Intellectual Property Protection among others was signed between Buhari
and other entities at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking at the signing ceremony for the execution of the Instruments
of Ratification for International Agreements, Buhari directed all
agencies of Government with roles to play under the respective Treaties
that has been ratified to ensure that they play their anticipated roles
in an effective and responsible manner in order to ensure that the
country reaps the full benefits of the agreements.
Buhari noted that the signing of the agreements was an important
milestone in demonstrating the sovereign capacity of Nigeria to fulfill
international obligations.
He said, “It is my hope that these Instruments will reinvigorate the
anti-corruption war and check the illicit flow of funds out of our
country to other jurisdictions, improve national security, food
security, boost our economic and tax regimes and improve the overall
well-being of our creative community.
“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.’’
The President said the full implementation of the Agreements had 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.
“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,’’ he said.
The signed agreements were: Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in
Criminal Matters, Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Civil and
Commercial Matters, Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons and
an Extradition Treaty.
Other Agreements include 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 and World Intellectual Property Organization
Performances and Phonograms Treaty.
Agreements on the 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 were also signed.