President Buhari Bans 50 High-Profile Nigerians From Traveling

13/10/2018

The Federal Government has banned 50 high-profile Nigerians from travelling abroad following the implementation of the Executive Order 6 signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the 50 prominent personalities had been placed on a watch-list and restricted them from leaving the country pending the determination of their cases.

President Buhari on July 5, 2018, signed the Executive Order (6) which will prevent any government official from engaging in corrupt practices.

The order seeks to restrain owners of assets under investigation from carrying out any further transaction on such assets.

On Friday, a Federal High Court in Abuja upheld the constitutionality of the Order, therefore, allowing the interim seizure of assets linked to investigation, ongoing criminal trials and other related offences.

Consequently, the President has mandated the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice to implement the Order in full force.

The Press Release

Following the instant judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the Executive Order 6 (EO6), President Muhammadu Buhari has mandated the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice to implement the Order in full force.

To this end, a number of enforcement procedures are currently in place by which the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies have placed no fewer than 50 high profile persons directly affected by EO6 on watch-list and restricted them from leaving the county pending the determination of their cases.

Also, the financial transactions of these persons of interest are being monitored by the relevant agencies to ensure that the assets are not dissipated and such persons do not interfere with, nor howsoever corrupt the investigation and litigation processes.

It is instructive to note that EO6 was specifically directed to relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that all assets within a minimum value of N50 million or equivalent, subject to investigation or litigation are protected from dissipation by employing all available lawful means, pending the final determination of any corruption-related matter.

The Buhari administration reassures all well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians of its commitment to the fight against corruption, in accordance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the general principles of the Rule of Law.

Accordingly, this administration will uphold the rule of law in all its actions and the right of citizens would be protected as guaranteed by the Constitution.

We, therefore, enjoin all Nigerians to cooperate with the law enforcement authorities towards ensuring a successful implementation of the Executive Order 6 which is a paradigm-changing policy of the Federal Government in the fight against corruption.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity) / October 13, 2018

See list below:

FIRST SCHEDULE

LIST OF CASES TO BE IMMEDIATELY AFFECTED BY THE EXECUTIVE ORDER