Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has assured that President Bola Tinubu and members of his family face no restrictions on their movement in the United States while attending the United Nations General Assembly.
Ibrahim, who also chairs the UN Committee on Budget and Administration, said the Nigerian Mission in New York had not received any communication from the US government indicating that Tinubu would face restrictions during the UNGA.
He explained that representatives of UN member states and their families are protected under Section 11 of the 1947 UN-US Agreement, which guarantees their unimpeded transit to and from the United Nations headquarters in New York.
The clarification comes amid renewed discussions over a legal dispute in the United States involving access to records connected to President Tinubu. Ibrahim maintained that the matter does not amount to a criminal case against the Nigerian president.
He further stressed that allegations should not be treated as established criminal offences without due process and urged Nigerians to allow the appropriate legal procedures to take their course.
Ibrahim’s comments are expected to ease concerns surrounding President Tinubu’s planned participation in the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
