BREAKING: Buhari implements Executive Order 6, places travel ban on 50 high profile Nigerians

*Persons under corruption probe, litigation affected

*Directs security agencies to implement travel
restrictions immediately

By KEMI KASUMU

Now fully empowered by confirmation issued by a Federal High Court in Abuja upholding the constitutionality of the Executive Order 6 of 2018 signed by him, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the full force implementation of the order.

The Executive Order allows for the interim seizure of assets linked to investigation, ongoing criminal trials and other related offences.

By this implementation order handed to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Malam Abubakar Malami (SAN), the Federal Government has therefore banned 50 persons from traveling abroad over corruption cases.

The Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies have been directed to place the 50 persons on their watch-list, pending the determination of their corruption cases.

This was disclosed in a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, issued in Abuja on Saturday.

The statement said it was instructive to note that the Executive Order 6 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 statement read in full:

“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.”