The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has said the order banning 50 alleged high-profile corrupt Nigerians from travelling abroad is clearly arbitrary, repressive and illegal.
According to the group, the presidential action is a breach of constitutional rights and the country’s international obligations, which protects the rights to freedom of movement, to leave one’s country, to privacy, and to due process of law.
SERAP in a statement today signed by its deputy director, TIMOTHY ADEWALE, said the travel ban will play right into the hands of high-profile corrupt officials by feeding into the narrative that the fight against corruption is targeted only at political opponents.
Presidential spokesman, GARBA SHEHU, yesterday announced the placement of 50 high-profile Nigerians on travel ban, citing the measure as part of the implementation of Presidential Executive Order number 6.
The unnamed individuals will be banned from travelling outside the country pending the determination of their corruption cases in order to ensure that all assets within a minimum value of 50 million naira or equivalent, are not dissipated or tampered with.
But SERAP says rather than imposing a travel ban, the authorities should take advantage of the provisions of the UN Convention against corruption to seek mutual legal assistance with countries where investigations and litigation are ongoing by requesting them to apply preventive measures regarding assets covered by the travel ban.
