President Buhari signs new agreement on anti-corruption, tax admin..etc
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.
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