President signs anti-corruption agreements

President Muhammadu Buhari signed instruments of ratification for a number of bilateral agreements to strengthen the governments anti-corruption fight on Thursday, August 24, 2017.

The four signed agreements with the the United Arab Emirates (UAE) include an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, agreement on mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters, agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons, and on Extradition Treaty.

The president also signed other instruments of ratification on a charter for the Lake Chad Basin between Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Libya, Niger and the Republic of Chad; African tax administration forum agreement on mutual assistance in tax matters; and World Intellectual Property Organisation Performances and Phonograms Treaty.

Others include: The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Treaty on Audio-Visual Performances, and the Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise.

According to the presidency, the ratification is an important step, in line with the delivery of President Buhari's anti-corruption economic diversification vision.

After the signing, the president's Twitter handle posted, "I have directed all relevant Government agencies and bodies to commence immediate implementation of these Agreements."

The president signed the agreements in his home office where he is temporarily working while his official office gets renovated after a supposed rodent infestation destroyed furniture and air conditioning units.