Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai has asked Nigerian authorities to respect the rights of Chinese citizens arrested in the country. Yu, who led a delegation to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), also suggested the idea of a Chinese team working with the agency to tackle cybercrime.
He expressed regret over the alleged involvement of Chinese citizens in crime in Nigeria.
The Africa Report revealed the mass arrest of Chinese nationals, especially in Lagos and Abuja, for cybercrime and illegal mining activities in January, with sources stating that the Nigerian government’s push for Chinese investments had opened the door to illegal activities.
“As the Chinese ambassador, I would also request that the legitimate right of the Chinese citizens, even if they committed a crime, should be well protected,” he was quoted in a statement issued by Nigeria’s anti-corruption watchdog.
“We understand that over the past couple of months, the EFCC uncovered some cybercrime and telecom frauds which involved some Chinese. As a Chinese ambassador, I feel much regret for that, but as a country that has a big population, there are always some bad apples,” Yu said.
Bola Akinterinwa, the Vice Chancellor of Achievers University, Owo, tells our correspondent that China’s demand for the protection of the rights of the citizens is not out of order but anything more that that would be strange especially because acts of corruption in China carry the death penalty.
Akinterinwa, who is a former head of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, adds that even though Nigeria is bound to enforce its own local laws, it could make exceptions for China in pursuit of its own goals which could have larger benefits for millions of its citizens.
“Nigeria could close its eyes (to infractions) if it wants to get certain deals from China like loans, technology transfer for the sake of its larger interest and then give them soft landing to the Chinese citizens. It is solely within the right of the Nigerian government on what steps to take,” he adds.
Fundamental human rights
He also expressed China’s zero tolerance for corruption, adding that available intelligence suggested that those involved in crime came to Nigeria from other countries.
Responding, EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede said the anti-corruption agency will continue to respect the rights of all suspects, including Chinese citizens.
“While we’re preparing for prosecution, they were giving your people Chinese food. That is to show you how we respect fundamental human rights and due process,” said the anti-corruption czar.
Olukoyede said mutual respect and benefit have been the bedrock of the Nigeria-China relationship and this will remain so. He stressed that not all Asians arrested by the EFCC and prosecuted are from China.
He also expressed China’s zero tolerance for corruption, adding that available intelligence suggested that those involved in crime came to Nigeria from other countries.
Responding, EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede said the anti-corruption agency will continue to respect the rights of all suspects, including Chinese citizens.
“While we’re preparing for prosecution, they were giving your people Chinese food. That is to show you how we respect fundamental human rights and due process,” said the anti-corruption czar.
Olukoyede said mutual respect and benefit have been the bedrock of the Nigeria-China relationship and this will remain so. He stressed that not all Asians arrested by the EFCC and prosecuted are from China.
Working relationship
China is the largest investor in Nigeria’s solid minerals, especially lithium. However, there have been accusations that a handful of Chinese nationals coming under the guise of investing had been engaged in illegal mining.
Some Nigerian senators had a few weeks ago called for a full investigation and invited immigration officials to explain the influx of such visitors.
However, Nigeria’s foreign ministry downplayed the issue when China’s foreign minister Wang Xi visited in January.
“We shouldn’t single out China and say everything they’re doing is bad. Suffice it to say, Chinese citizens are doing more good than harm in Nigeria,” said Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s foreign minister.
Nigeria’s debt to China exceeds $5bn. The sum is more than the bilateral loans owed to all other countries combined, according to the debt management office. Abuja has also been seeking favours from Beijing especially regarding full membership of BRICS, joining the G20 and getting a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
However, some illegal activities had become too big to ignore, officials said.
Speaking to The Africa Report, David Aworawo, a professor of international relations at the University of Lagos, says the relationship between Nigeria and China will remain cordial as long as citizens’ rights are respected.
“I don’t see a division in the Nigeria/China relations over the arrests. What needs to be done is what China has said. Let there be respect for human rights and fairness. Once this happens, there shouldn’t be any friction,” Aworawo says.
China is the largest investor in Nigeria’s solid minerals, especially lithium. However, there have been accusations that a handful of Chinese nationals coming under the guise of investing had been engaged in illegal mining.
Some Nigerian senators had a few weeks ago called for a full investigation and invited immigration officials to explain the influx of such visitors.
However, Nigeria’s foreign ministry downplayed the issue when China’s foreign minister Wang Xi visited in January.
“We shouldn’t single out China and say everything they’re doing is bad. Suffice it to say, Chinese citizens are doing more good than harm in Nigeria,” said Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s foreign minister.
Nigeria’s debt to China exceeds $5bn. The sum is more than the bilateral loans owed to all other countries combined, according to the debt management office. Abuja has also been seeking favours from Beijing especially regarding full membership of BRICS, joining the G20 and getting a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
However, some illegal activities had become too big to ignore, officials said.
Speaking to The Africa Report, David Aworawo, a professor of international relations at the University of Lagos, says the relationship between Nigeria and China will remain cordial as long as citizens’ rights are respected.
“I don’t see a division in the Nigeria/China relations over the arrests. What needs to be done is what China has said. Let there be respect for human rights and fairness. Once this happens, there shouldn’t be any friction,” Aworawo says.
