The coast is clear for the Federal
Government to seize assets of 22 politically exposed people and businessman in
Dubai,
following the signing of the extradition treaty with the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) on Thursday, August 24.
All the 22 former political leaders and
businessmen, are currently being investigated by the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to The Nation, the
ratification of the six agreements between the two countries delayed the
seizure of the assets.
Those under investigation include:
seven former Governors, seven ex-Ministers, four businessmen, a former
chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a former Comptroller-General
of the Nigerian Customs Service, a former presidential assistant indicted in
the $2.1billion arms deals and a former First Lady who allegedly used fronts to
acquire some choice properties.
“With the signing of the agreements, a
major hurdle has been cleared and this will enable us to proceed with the
application for the seizure of the assets of more than 22 highly-placed
Nigerians who have been under probe for alleged money laundering.
“Before the pact, the UAE law mandates
any foreign anti-graft agency to seek the consent of the owner of any property
being verified before you can have access to same. But now, the anti-graft
agencies in Nigeria can send a list of suspected assets to the UAE authorities
through the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the
Mutual Legal Assistance will be invoked.
“Our task is made easier because the
Land Registry System is digitalised in a manner that it will not take five
minutes to obtain information on anyone suspected of money laundering.
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