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ABUJA – Nigeria has ordered its security agencies to put some 50 people suspected of corruption in the list of suspects and prevent them from leaving the country.
A statement from the presidency indicated that this initiative was aimed at ensuring the implementation of a decree (Decree No. 6) authorizing President Muhammadu Buhari to temporarily seize and to prohibit access to any suspect property.
"To this end … the Nigerian Immigration Service and other security agencies have placed no less than 50 prominent people directly affected by EO6 on their watch list and prevented them from leaving the country until their case is decided, "said the office.
"In addition, the relevant agencies control the financial transactions of these people of interest to ensure that the assets are not dissipated," adds the text.
Buhari was given the green light to implement the decree this week after the opposition lost a judicial offer to stop its implementation.
The presidency has not revealed the names of those affected by the order, but opposition members would be the target.
Buhari, who came to power in 2015 on an anti-corruption platform, accused the regime of former president Goodluck Jonathan of looting large-scale treasure.
Many opposition figures are on trial for corruption, but no significant sentences have been handed down.
Buhari will seek a second term in the February elections, but the challenge of former vice president Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the main opposition party, the Democratic People's Party (PDP).
Dozens of candidates from other marginal parties are also trying to overthrow Buhari from power.
