Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has dismissed reports suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or members of his family could face arrest or movement restrictions in the United States while attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Ibrahim said the Nigerian Mission in New York had not received any notification from the US government indicating that Tinubu would face restrictions during the UNGA.
The envoy, who also chairs the United Nations Committee on Budget and Administration, referred to Section 11 of the 1947 UN-US Agreement, saying it provides protections relating to the movement of representatives of UN member states and their accompanying family members to and from the UN headquarters district.
According to Ibrahim, the provision requires US federal, state and local authorities to avoid placing impediments on the movement of representatives of member states, their families, UN officials, specialised agencies and individuals invited to the UN headquarters for official business.
He explained that a president’s physical attendance at the UN General Assembly is ultimately determined by national priorities. Ibrahim also noted that a significant portion of the current speaking schedule is made up of vice presidents and foreign ministers representing their respective countries, meaning presidents can delegate representation when necessary.
The Nigerian envoy also referred to an incident involving a former Nigerian president, stressing that the individual was not President Tinubu. He said the former leader had once faced a restriction on movement within a 10-kilometre radius of the UN headquarters over a drug-related allegation.
Ibrahim maintained that the allegation in that case was never proven, using it to emphasise the distinction between an accusation and a conviction.
He argued that allegations of criminal conduct must go through due process and be established beyond reasonable doubt before they can result in a conviction.
The ambassador also dismissed social media claims suggesting that President Tinubu could be arrested in the United States during the UNGA, describing such efforts as unlikely to succeed.
Ibrahim further explained that US law-enforcement agencies can invite individuals to provide information or statements during investigations. He said authorities may also collect identifying information, including family history, educational records and fingerprints, to help establish connections between individuals, groups or networks.
According to him, such information is protected and may not necessarily become public during investigations involving financial or other alleged criminal offences.
The envoy urged Nigerians to continue to uphold the country’s image and support what he described as the economic transformation agenda of the Tinubu administration.
