The role played by the Nigerian government in the conviction of six Nigerians by United Arab Emirate (UAE) for wiring $782,000 (almost N300 million) to Boko Haram has not impressed a Nigerian lawyer, Barrister Bulama Bukarti.
In an opinion he published in the Daily Trust of November 12, the lawyer said the involvement of the Nigerian government in the process does not suggest a serious commitment to track the opaque methods of funds transfer and identifying Boko Haram financiers, all of which are fundamental to stifling the group’s freedom of action.
“The court documents show that the convicts were coordinating with two group agents based in Nigeria including a ‘Nigerian government official’, and they vaguely identify an Arab man who flew from Turkey to hand over United States dollars in cash to the offenders.
“The convicts then transferred the equivalent to the Boko Haram agents in Nigeria. Who are the two Nigerians conspiring with the convicts, especially the ‘government official’? Are there others in Nigeria or abroad with whom these individuals are coordinating? Who is the ‘Arab man’ coming from Turkey? From whom did he receive the money: al-Qaida, ISIS, some Nigerians in the diaspora or other persons associated with Boko Haram? There could be pieces of evidence in the case file that address these critical questions,” the writer said.
He added: “But there is another reason why the federal government must dig into this issue. Relatives of the convicts have told this paper (Daily Trust) and other media outlets that their relatives were simply “framed up”. They said the convicts were arrested in the course of their normal business as bureau de change operators and were tortured by UAE security operates to confess to committing offences they knew nothing about.
“They further claimed that they’re not accorded fair hearing and that there were no witnesses called at the trial. Is that why the UAE has not responded to the Nigerian government’s request for information on the case?
“Allegations of serious crimes as spying and terrorism can sometimes be overzealously treated in many countries, and full justice is not always done. For instance, it’s clear from the statements of the Nigerian government that the UAE didn’t liaise with Nigeria in investigating this matter. How did the UAE arrive at the conclusion that the transferees, who are based in Nigeria, are members of Boko Haram and the transferred funds were meant for Boko Haram?
“However, the Attorney General’s blame of the UAE for lack of information does not sound quite right. In August 2017, President Buhari held a ceremony at the presidential villa to celebrate the signing of nine different bilateral agreements with the UAE. One of the treaties was on ‘The Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters and Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal and Commercial Matters.’ That agreement was signed by no other person than the Attorney General along with his UAE counterpart, Sultan Bin Saeed Albadi.
“In this case, how does the Attorney General explain the lack of response? This, to put it nicely, is perplexing. As though to add to the confusion, the chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, claimed on Twitter that the federal government has been aware of this case since 2015. This means that both the President and the Attorney General were aware of this case as they signed the treaties. Why didn’t they raise the issue? If they did, what was UAE’s response?
“It appears to me that, as is usual with this administration, the federal government didn’t treat this case with the seriousness and urgency it deserves. If the convicts were truly sending funds to Boko Haram, our security and intelligence agencies should have moved speedily to clamp down on their co-conspirators at home to stop them from further funding the group through other contacts at the UAE or elsewhere and to punish them.
“ If the convicts were unfairly treated, as their families claim, our diplomats should have moved swiftly to ensure that these Nigerians aren’t unjustly punished. But this government clearly has other priorities than fighting Boko Haram or protecting the interests of Nigerians. Neither scenario is good for public confidence in the Buhari administration and for our international image. Most importantly, this foot-dragging could constitute a serious danger to national security. If it hasn’t already,” he said.