President Bola Tinubu and members of his family will not face restrictions on their movement in the United States while attending the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has said.
Ibrahim said the Nigerian Mission in New York had not received any communication from the United States government indicating that restrictions had been placed on the President’s movement during the UNGA.
The envoy made this known in a statement issued on Sunday by the Office of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.
According to him, the protection is provided under Section 11 of the 1947 UN-US Agreement, which requires the United States authorities to ensure that representatives of UN member states and their families can travel to and from the UN headquarters district without impediment.
Ibrahim said the provision also covers UN officials, representatives of specialised agencies and other persons invited to the UN headquarters for official business.
“President Bola Tinubu and members of his family enjoy unimpeded transit in the United States and cannot be arrested while attending the United Nations General Assembly,” Ibrahim said.
He added that no notification had been received from the US government imposing any restriction on Tinubu’s movement during the gathering.
The statement comes amid an ongoing legal battle in the United States concerning access to records relating to the Nigerian President.
The Presidency had earlier rejected claims that Tinubu was facing a criminal case in the US, explaining that the matter before the court was a civil Freedom of Information Act lawsuit concerning the release of records.
The Presidency said the case was not a criminal proceeding against Tinubu and that no court had found him guilty of criminal wrongdoing.
Ibrahim also addressed the issue of attendance at the UN General Assembly, noting that participation at the annual gathering does not necessarily require every country’s president to be physically present.
He said over 60 per cent of those currently listed to speak at the assembly were vice presidents and foreign ministers representing their respective countries.
According to him, presidents have the option of delegating representation when circumstances require it.
The UN envoy further explained that US law enforcement agencies could invite people to provide information during investigations and obtain details such as personal and family history, educational records and fingerprints.
He said such information could help investigators establish relationships between individuals, groups and networks, although the records may remain protected and are not automatically made public.
Tinubu is expected to participate in the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, where he is scheduled to address world leaders.