No US Case Against Tinubu, Family Enjoy Unimpeded Transit for UNGA — Ambassador Ibrahim

No US Case Against Tinubu, Family Enjoy Unimpeded Transit for UNGA — Ambassador Ibrahim

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has declared that President Bola Tinubu and members of his family enjoy unimpeded transit in the United States and cannot be arrested while attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Ibrahim, who also chairs the United Nations Committee on Budget and Administration, made the clarification in a statement issued on Sunday by the Office of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, amid renewed online campaigns speculating about possible legal action against the Nigerian leader during his planned participation in the 81st session of the UNGA. The envoy said the Nigerian Mission in New York had received no notification from the United States government indicating that Tinubu would face any restriction on his movement during the General Assembly.

Citing Section 11 of the 1947 United Nations–United States Headquarters Agreement, Ibrahim explained that representatives of UN member states and members of their families are protected from impediments to transit to and from the UN headquarters district. He said the provision requires US federal, state and local authorities to refrain from imposing restrictions on the movement of representatives of member states, their families, UN officials, specialised agencies and persons invited to the headquarters district on official business. According to the envoy, the protection under the agreement covers representatives irrespective of the relations existing between their governments and the United States government.

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Ibrahim stressed that an allegation does not constitute a crime, insisting that criminal accusations must be established through due process and proved beyond reasonable doubt before conviction. He added that where a conviction cannot be secured in a sensitive criminal matter, the consequences could include substantial compensation. The envoy also dismissed social media efforts to criminalise Tinubu or secure his arrest, saying such efforts would ultimately prove futile. “Social media cannot criminalise or arrest President Bola Tinubu, no matter how much the opposition invested in it; those efforts will only end as an exercise in futility. He has immunity from arrest in the US during UNGA,” Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim noted that attendance at the UNGA is ultimately a matter of national priority, but said countries could delegate representation when necessary. According to him, more than 60 per cent of the current speaking list comprises vice presidents and foreign ministers representing their respective countries, demonstrating that heads of government were not required to personally attend every UNGA engagement. The ambassador explained that member states of the United Nations are invited to participate in the high-level event, rather than individual leaders being invited in their personal capacities.

Ibrahim recalled that a former Nigerian president—whom he stressed was not Tinubu—was once restricted to a 10-kilometre radius from the UN headquarters in connection with a drug-related allegation. He said the allegation was never proved, adding that while US law-enforcement authorities may invite individuals to provide information during investigations and collect identifying details—including personal and family history, educational records and fingerprints—such procedures do not amount to arrest or conviction. The envoy explained that information gathered in such investigations may be used to establish links between individuals, groups and networks, particularly in cases involving alleged financial and other criminal offences. He noted that such personal information is protected and is not necessarily made public by investigating agencies.

Ibrahim’s intervention comes amid renewed public debate and online campaigns over President Tinubu’s planned participation at the 2026 UN General Assembly in New York, with discussions centred on claims that the Nigerian president could face arrest in the United States over historical allegations. Nigerian officials have repeatedly maintained that no U.S. court has convicted President Tinubu of any criminal offence. The envoy urged Nigerians to continue to hold the national flag in high esteem and support what he described as the economic transformation being pursued under the Tinubu administration.

No US Case Against Tinubu, Family Enjoy Unimpeded Transit for UNGA — Ambassador Ibrahim