By RFIPosted on 15-10-2018Modified on 15-10-2018 at 00:48

In Nigeria, the head of state Muhammadu Buhari has taken a new step to fight corruption, four months away from the presidential election. About fifty personalities suspected of corruption have been placed on a list of suspects to watch. According to a communiqué from the Presidency, these people will also be prevented from leaving the country until their cases have been decided. The names have not been made public, but many of the high-ranking people involved seem to be members of the opposition. A way to fight corruption while trials take time, said the Nigerian presidency. The lawyers of some opponents, they rebel against a measure undermining the free movement of people.

According to the Presidency press release, the Immigration Service and other security agencies have placed at least 50 people under surveillance. These personalities will be prohibited from leaving the territory until they have ruled on their case.

" Any suspicion of corruption must be proven in court. Except that the trials take time. Some trials last 10 or even 15 years. And many of these corruption trials never succeed. Because people use the funds they stole. This order therefore establishes an embargo on suspect funds stolen so that no one can move or dispose of them, as long as the case is not resolved in court, says Garba Shehu, the spokesman of the presidency who believes that the measure will speed up the judicial proceedings. With regard to the prohibition to leave the territory, it is also a way to prevent suspects from having access to funds placed abroad that they might be tempted to shelter from the Nigerian authorities. ".

So what is order number six? It introduces an embargo on stolen suspect funds so that no one can move or dispose of them until the case is resolved in court. As for the prohibition to leave the territory, it is also a way to prevent suspects from accessing funds abroad that they might be tempted to shelter from the Nigerian authorities. And in a sense, it will also help move the trials forward quickly because if this money really belongs to you, it will not be embargoed for 15 years. If it's your money, you keep it, if it's not yours, you make it to the Treasury, that's the essence of this order.

Garba Shehu, spokesman for the presidency

14-10-2018 - By Rosie Collyer

Who are these fifty personalities? The presidency does not speak about it. But many opponents would be concerned. Among them, Olisa Metuh, a spokesman for the People's Democratic Party , the main opposition party.

" This is an affront to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which guarantees freedom of movement. Only a competent court can limit freedom. This decision should be of utmost concern to all Nigerians, the last time similar measures were adopted it was still at the time of the military regime, this kind of law has no place in Nigeria. today, "says Emeka Etiaba, Olisa Metuh's lawyer.

This is an affront to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees freedom of movement.

Me Emeka Etiaba, lawyer for the opponent Olisa Metuh

15-10-2018 - By Rosie Collyer

It has been four years since the head of state Muhammadu Buhari made the fight against corruption his priority. Many opposition figures are currently being prosecuted, but few significant convictions have been handed down.

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