UNGA: Tinubu, family enjoy unimpeded US transit — Nigeria’s UN Rep

Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, has clarified that President Bola Tinubu and his family are free to move about unimpeded in the United States while participating in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The assertion comes as there have been concerns that Tinubu might face arrest if he attends the UNGA meeting this month due to drug-related allegations that were previously associated with him.

However, according to Ibrahim, there have been no communications from the US government restricting Tinubu's movements during the UNGA.

He cited Section 11 of the 1947 UN-US Agreement, which grants protection against restrictions on the movement of representatives of UN member states, their families, UN officials, and officials of specialized agencies, as well as persons invited to the headquarters district on official business. This means that US federal, state, and local authorities are prohibited from imposing any limitations on Tinubu and his family's movement.

Ibrahim emphasized that the attendance of the President at the UNGA is primarily a matter of national importance. He also mentioned an instance where a former Nigerian president was once limited to a 10-kilometre radius from the UN headquarters due to a drug-related allegation, which was later proven to be false.