The Federal Government of Nigeria has directed all the country’s officials based in the United Arab Emirates to declare their assets.
A report by Sahara Reporters claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari had also ordered the Nigerian Embassy in the oil-rich Arab nation to compile the list of all its current and former officials with assets in the UAE by March 31.
This is coming on the heels of allegations in certain quarters that some Nigerian politicians had used fictitious names to acquire pricey properties in the UAE, especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Also, some of the politicians are believed to have acquired exotic properties using fronts and offshore bank accounts.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari recently embarked on a three-day official trip to the UAE, where he attended the Future World Energy Summit and met Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to discuss ways in which to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations.
According to Khaleej Times, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami met with his UAE counterpart Sultan bin Saeed Al Badi to sign four agreements including an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal affairs and agreement on the extradition of fugitives.
Few days after the President’s visit, a list of some Nigerians with choice properties in the UAE went viral online and in some sections of the traditional media.
While some of those mentioned have denied the allegation, some of the names listed included former First Lady, Patience Jonathan; Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose; former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu; former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke; and former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode.
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