Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has dismissed suggestions that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could be arrested while visiting the United States.
Ibrahim explained that Tinubu enjoys immunity as a sitting head of state, meaning he is protected from arrest or detention by a foreign government while performing his official functions.
The ambassador made the clarification while addressing concerns surrounding the possibility of legal action against the Nigerian President during a visit to the United States.
According to Ibrahim, the principle of sovereign immunity protects serving heads of state from being subjected to the jurisdiction of another country in the course of their official duties.
He said the status of a sitting president is fundamentally different from that of a private citizen who may be subject to legal proceedings in a foreign country.
Ibrahim’s comments come amid discussions about Tinubu’s international engagements and questions raised by some individuals over whether legal complaints or allegations could lead to his arrest on American soil.
The ambassador stressed that diplomatic and international-law principles provide protections for heads of state while they remain in office.
The clarification is expected to address concerns over the legal status of the Nigerian President during official visits abroad and the extent to which foreign jurisdictions can exercise authority over a serving head of state.
Tinubu has continued to maintain diplomatic engagements with the United States and other countries as part of Nigeria’s international relations and efforts to strengthen cooperation on issues including security, trade, investment and economic development.
