Buhari Meets Boris Johnson, Seeks UK’s Extradition Of Nigerians Facing Corruption Charges

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday held bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the sidelines of the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London on Monday.

Buhari during the meeting sought UK government’s support in extraditing persons facing corruption charges in Nigeria, but who are taking refuge in that country.

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According to presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, President Buhari sought the assistance of the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom (NCA) in investigating such persons and repatriating them back to Nigeria to face charges against them.

Buhari said the ongoing anti-corruption war in Nigeria, though slow but painstaking, needed the cooperation of the NCA.

Among those said to be taking refuge in the UK since the Buhari administration came to power are former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke and others.

Adesina said Buhari briefed Johnson on the positive developments in Nigeria in different areas to include “agriculture, leading almost to self-sufficiency in rice and other grains, which is saving the country billions in foreign exchange, which are now deployed to other areas of development.”

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On the war against insurgency, the President said things were a lot better, with the disabuse of the minds of the people on the true philosophy of Boko Haram.

He said the though there were challenges in the area of resettling displaced people, it was being tackled frontally.

“We have a long history with the British military, and we are collaborating,” Buhari added.

On Climate change, the President said it was a challenge to Nigeria and neighbouring African countries, especially with the shrinkage of the Lake Chad.

He also said the country was making progress on education, particularly that of the girl child.

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In his remarks, Johnson thanked Buhari for being “a regional leader who gives strong encouragement to the West”.

He congratulated him on jobs being created through agriculture, and urged him to do more.

Johnson further commended Buhari for what he called the “social and economic benefits” that had accrued to the country since 2015.

He pledged that the necessary hand of fellowship would be extended to Nigeria on its war against corruption through the NCA, while also pledging to cooperate with Nigeria and other African countries in the inter-basin water transfer, which could solve the Lake Chad problem, and enhance security in the sub-region.

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