Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, says President Bola Tinubu and members of his family enjoy unimpeded transit and cannot be arrested in the United States while attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Ibrahim, who is also Chairman of the United Nations Committee on Budget and Administration, said this in a statement issued by the Office of the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations in New York.
He said the Nigerian Mission in New York had received no notification from the US government of any restriction on President Tinubu’s movement during the UNGA.
Citing Section 11 of the 1947 UN-U.S. Agreement, the envoy said representatives of member states and their families are protected from impediments to transit to and from the UN headquarters district.
He explained that the provision requires US federal, state and local authorities to refrain from imposing restrictions on the movement of representatives of member states, their families, UN officials, specialised agencies and persons invited to the headquarters district on official business.
Ibrahim noted that attendance at the UNGA is ultimately a matter of national priority, adding that more than 60 per cent of the current speaking list comprises vice presidents and foreign ministers representing their respective countries. He said presidents could therefore delegate representation when necessary.
The envoy recalled that a former Nigerian president, not President Tinubu, was once restricted to a 10-kilometre radius from the UN headquarters in connection with a drug-related allegation. He said the allegation was never proved.
Ibrahim stressed that an allegation does not constitute a crime, insisting that criminal accusations must be established through due process and proved beyond reasonable doubt before conviction.
He added that efforts on social media to criminalise or secure the arrest of President Tinubu would ultimately prove futile.
The envoy further explained that US law-enforcement authorities may invite individuals to provide information or statements during investigations and may collect identifying details, including personal and family history, educational records and fingerprints.
According to him, such information is used to establish links between individuals, groups and networks but remains protected and is not necessarily made public in investigations involving financial or other criminal offences.
Ibrahim urged Nigerians to continue to hold the national flag in high esteem and support what he described as the economic transformation being pursued under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.