Tinubu has immunity from arrest in US during UNGA – Nigeria’s UN Rep
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, reaffirmed that President Bola Tinubu will not face arrest or restrictions on his movement during his attendance at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Ibrahim’s remarks follow heightened discussions about allegations from Tinubu’s past in the United States, which have led to speculation regarding possible legal repercussions during the 81st session of the UNGA. He emphasized that the Nigerian Mission to the UN has not received any notification from the U.S. government suggesting that Tinubu would encounter any legal restrictions.
The ambassador pointed out that protections for representatives of UN member states are established under Section 11 of the 1947 UN-US Headquarters Agreement. This agreement ensures that diplomats and their families are safeguarded from legal impediments while traveling to and from the UN headquarters.
Ibrahim noted that in sensitive criminal matters where a conviction might not be achieved, substantial compensation could result. He dismissed rumors circulating on social media concerning the potential arrest of President Tinubu during his U.S. visit. “Social media cannot criminalize or arrest President Bola Tinubu, no matter how much the opposition invests in it. Those efforts will only end as an exercise in futility. He has immunity from arrest in the U.S. during the UNGA,” he stated.
Ibrahim clarified that this provision also extends to UN officials, officials from specialized agencies, and individuals invited to the headquarters for official purposes.
