Tinubu, Family Can’t Be Arrested in US During UNGA — Envoy, Ibrahim

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has said President Bola Tinubu and members of his family cannot be arrested in the United States while attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Ibrahim, who is also the Chairman of the United Nations Committee on Budget and Administration, said the Nigerian Mission in New York had not received any notification from the United States government imposing restrictions on the President’s movement during the UNGA.

He explained that Section 11 of the 1947 UN US Agreement provides protection for representatives of member states and their family members from impediments to transit to and from the UN headquarters district.

According to him, the provision requires federal, state and local authorities in the United States to refrain from imposing restrictions on the movement of representatives of member states, their families, United Nations officials, specialised agencies and persons invited to the UN headquarters district on official business.

Ibrahim also explained that member states, rather than individual leaders, are invited to participate in the high level UNGA sessions. He noted that more than 60 per cent of the current speaking list comprises vice presidents and foreign ministers representing their respective countries, adding that presidents could delegate representation when necessary.

The envoy recalled that a former Nigerian president, whom he did not name, was once restricted to a 10 kilometre radius from the UN headquarters while attending the UNGA in connection with a drug related allegation.

He said the allegation was never proven, stressing that an allegation of a crime does not automatically constitute a crime.

Ibrahim maintained that criminal allegations must be established through due process and proved beyond reasonable doubt before an individual can be convicted.

He warned that anyone making a criminal allegation must be prepared to substantiate it, noting that failure to secure a conviction in a sensitive criminal matter could expose the accuser to substantial compensation claims.

The ambassador also dismissed the possibility of President Tinubu being arrested based solely on claims circulating on social media, saying such efforts would not amount to a criminal conviction or lawful arrest.

Ibrahim further explained that under the United States legal and law enforcement system, individuals may be invited to provide information or make statements in connection with criminal investigations.

He said investigators could collect personal information as part of the identification and investigative process, including family background, personal history, parental records, information about children, educational history, fingerprints and other identifying details.

According to him, such information could help investigators establish links between individuals, groups and networks during criminal investigations.

He, however, noted that personal information collected during investigations is protected and is not necessarily expected to be made public by investigating authorities, particularly in cases involving financial or other alleged criminal offences.

Ibrahim urged Nigerians to continue to uphold the national flag and support what he described as the economic transformation being pursued by the Tinubu administration.