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Tag: UAE

  • UAE urges Arabs, Muslims to unite over U.S decision on Jerusalem

    UAE urges Arabs, Muslims to unite over U.S decision on Jerusalem

    The United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) on Thursday urged the Arab and Islamic countries to unite and demonstrate a “common position” over the United States recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

    The UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, made the call on twitter, warning that the Arab and Islamic world is facing a “serious challenge” as U.S President, Donald Trump, announced the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

    He noted that a “common position and hard work” are necessary to “achieve results” instead of “deepening the wounds.”

    The UAE does not recognise the state of Israel.

    However, Israel has a presence at the International Renewable Energy Agency in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, as it is one of the 180 member states of IRENA whose headquarters are based in Abu Dhabi.

    Trump announced Wednesday his official recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and ordered the movement of the U.S embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move that triggered wide criticism and concerns around the world.

    Trump said in a televised speech that his decision is based on The Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, a public law of the U.S passed by the 104th Congress on October 23, 1995.

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  • Saudi Arabia council studying proposals on whistleblowers

    Saudi Arabia council studying proposals on whistleblowers

    Saudi Arabia ’s Shura Council, a top advisory council to the government, is studying proposals for protection of people, who report financial crime, local media reported on Tuesday, following the government’s anti-corruption crackdown.

    Crown Prince Mohammed Salman has launched an inquiry into graft that has resulted in the detention of a dozens of princes, senior officials and businessmen.

    The Shura Council does not have legislative powers, but it can propose laws to the king and the cabinet.

    It said in a tweet on Monday that it had agreed on the “appropriateness of the draft proposal” for whistleblower protection for financial and administrative corruption.

    The Arabic-language newspaper Al-Riyadh reported on Tuesday that the council had agreed to study two proposals on the matter that also included protection of eyewitnesses, who report violations such as financial crime.

    Read also: Saudi Arabia expects Hajj revenues to exceed $4.2bn

    A top official said earlier this month that Saudi authorities have questioned 208 people in an anti-corruption investigation and estimate at least 100 billion dollars has been stolen through graft.

    “The Government of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed Salman, is working within a clear legal and institutional framework to maintain transparency and integrity in the market,” Attorney-General Saud Al-Mojeb said in a statement on Nov. 9.

    The investigation has spread to the neighbouring United Arab Emirates, as the central bank asked commercial banks and finance companies there to provide details of the accounts of 19 Saudis detained in the crackdown.

    The UAE central bank governor said on Thursday the request by the central bank for local banks and finance companies to provide details of the accounts of 19 Saudi Arabian citizens was just an information-gathering exercise.

    NAN

  • Magu in Austria, says EFCC recovered N738.9bn in two years

    Magu in Austria, says EFCC recovered N738.9bn in two years

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) on Wednesday in Austria said it recovered loots totaling N738.9 billion or $2.9 billion between May, 2015 and Oct. 20, 2017.

    Its Acting Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu, stated this at the ongoing 7th Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption holding in Vienna.

    Spokesman of the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, gave account of Magu’s engagement in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

    In a presentation titled: “International Cooperation in Relation to Tecnical Assistance: The Nigerian Experience”, Magu said the sum was exclusive of smaller currencies in Durham, CRA and British Pound.

    He stated that the commission had made a lot of recoveries locally using the mechanism of the non-conviction based forfeiture provided under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

    “Within this year alone, the commission recovered stolen assets running into several millions of US Dollars and billions in naira.

    “These include the sum of $43 million recovered from Deziani Allison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum and N2 billion spread in seven accounts within three Nigerian banks laundered from the Federal Capital Territory Police Command Salary Accounts”, he explained.

    Magu, who was said to be a panelist at the Implementation Review Group attended by over 100 delegates, detailed the Nigerian efforts in asset recovery.

    He said the country had also made progress in specific cases related to Abacha loot, Malabu Oil, Diezani and associates, and the arms procurement scandal.

    These efforts, he said, cut across Switzerland, USA, UK, UAE, Jersey Island and Panama.
    In his recommendations, the EFCC boss sought improved coordination and cooperation among state parties in asset recovery.

    He said this could be done through the consideration and adoption of measures that would remove traditional barriers such as bank secrecy in line with Article 46(8) and dual Criminality Article 46(9) as well as simplify legal technicalities in the recovery and repatriation of stolen funds.

    He further sought measures to reduce cost of recovery of assets for developing countries and ensure speedy return of all stolen assets to victim states in line with the current resolution sponsored by Nigeria.

    He also called for sanction and prosecution of any financial institution that violates AML/CFT measures and the maintenance of a public register on beneficial ownership.

    Meanwhile, Nigeria has received global commendation for its doggedness in tracing and recovery of its solen assets, according to the commission’s spokesman.

    Uwujaren said the commendation came at a meeting between Magu and Dr Nassar Abaalkhail, the Head of International Collaboration, National Anti-Corruption Commission, Saudi Arabia.

    The meeting, which held on the sidelines of the conference, followed Magu’s presentation, Uwujaren said.

    He quoted Abaalkhail as saying that Nigeria’s efforts at loot recovery were remarkable.

    “From what I have heard, Nigeria’s effort at asset tracing is remarkable. Nigeria is indeed a role model for countries, including developed countries.

    “We have so much to learn from Nigeria”, he said.

    Uwujaren said the Iranian National Focal Point for the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, Dr Mohsen Mardal, also commended the Nigerian presentation.

    Similarly, the Commissioner, Sierra Leone Anti-Corruption Agency, Ady Macauley, said the EFCC was not only “formidable, but a pride to the African States”.

    “My men were in Nigeria a fortnight ago to understudy your operations, I must confess, we have a lot to learn in investigation, prosecution and asset recovery”.

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  • Qatar hails Kuwaiti emir’s parliament speech on Gulf crisis

    Qatar hails Kuwaiti emir’s parliament speech on Gulf crisis

    Qatar highly appreciates Kuwaiti emir’s speech about the ongoing Gulf dispute at the opening session of the Kuwaiti parliament, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says.

    “Doha hails Kuwaiti emir’s call to preserve the rights of the future generations in the countries,’’ an official statement issued by the ministry said on Wednesday.

    In an address to parliament on Tuesday, Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah said that Kuwait’s mediation efforts should be seen through the lens of the family of Gulf nations.

    “We are not a third party in this crisis. Rather, we are a party of one in this crisis.”

    The Saudi Arabia-led Arab quartet, which also includes the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, cut diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5.

    It also imposed an air, sea and land embargo against the Gulf state, citing Doha’s support to terrorism and extremists.

    Qatar has strongly denied these charges and has been seeking diplomatic and economic support from Turkey and Iran, which is Saudi’s arch rival to break the blockade.

    Kuwait has been acting as a mediator since the Gulf crisis.

    NAN

  • Over 22 politically exposed persons, businessmen in Dubai under surveillance

    Over 22 politically exposed persons, businessmen in Dubai under surveillance

    Fresh facts emerged yesterday that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has received a database of Nigerians with assets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    On the list are assets suspected to have been acquired with looted funds by some former governors, ex- ministers, bankers, oil chiefs,  government functionaries and other Politically Exposed Persons(PEPs).

    The EFCC is analysing the database in line with its list of PEPs who are being investigated.

    The anti-graft agency has placed over 22 politically exposed persons and businessmen in Dubai under surveillance.

    Funds linked with some of those under probe may be seized.

    A source in the commission, who spoke in confidence, said: “In line with its Beneficial Ownership laws, we have already a database of Nigerians with assets in the United Arab Emirates, including properties of some high-profile Nigerians under investigation.

    “We are already studying the database in line with our ongoing investigation and profiling. We have a long list of some politically exposed persons and businessmen under probe.

    “The signing of the agreements between Nigeria and the UAE by President Muhammadu Buhari last week has opened a robust vista which will hasten our identification and attachment of the suspicious assets.

    “It is time to set out for work. You will recall that over N1.34 trillion was stolen by public officers in seven years. We will trace some of these funds and the assets acquired with them in UAE.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “We will not release the list now but already we have initiated action on some suspects.

    “Actually, there is no hiding place for any looter from Nigeria in UAE again. In May 2016 at the Anti-corruption Summit in London, the UAE joined the league of 29 nations which will share where lists of beneficial owners.

    “The UAE has also strengthened its anti-money laundering (‘AML’) regulations. Therefore, the environment is conducive now to track the suspects on our radar.

    “The Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA) also operates a commercial register where you can easily identify companies and investors in UAE.”

    Following a state visit to the UAE by President Muhammadu Buhari on January 19, last year, the Federal Government entered into  six agreements with the Emirates.

    The agreements, which were signed by Buhari last week, are:

    • Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement.
    • Agreement on Trade Promotion and Protection
    • Judicial Agreements on Extradition
    • Transfer of Sentenced Persons
    • Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters
    • Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal and Commercial Matters(recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth)

    Sections 7 of 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004 mandate the agency to seize suspicious assets.

    Section 7 says: “The commission has power to (a) cause any investigations to be conducted as to whether any person, corporate body or organization has committed any offence under this Act or other law relating to economic and financial crimes.

    “(b) Cause investigations to be conducted into the properties of any person if it appears to the commission that the person’s lifestyle and extent of the properties are not justified by his source of income.”

    Sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004 empower the anti-graft agency to invoke Interim Assets Forfeiture Clause.

    “Section 28 of the EFCC Act reads: ‘Where a person is arrested for an offence under this Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and attach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a result of such economic or financial crime and shall thereafter cause to be obtained an interim attachment order from the Court.’

    Section 13 of the Federal High Court Act reads in part: “The Court may grant an injunction or appoint a receiver by an interlocutory order in all cases in which it appears to the Court to be just or convenient so to do.

    (2)          Any such order may be made either unconditionally or on such terms and conditions as the Court thinks just.”

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign and Domestic Debts, Senator Shehu Sani said over $200 billion had been hidden in the UAE.

    He said: “Over $200 billion is stashed away from Nigeria to Dubai alone. This may be the monies stolen since in the past 20 years. I am not talking about estates and bonds and other securities bought with Nigeria stolen money.”

    The anti-money laundering policy of UAE Central Bank reads in part: “Any person who commits, or attempts to commit, a Money Laundering offence shall be punished by imprisonment of up to 10 years and or a fine of between AED 100,000 and AED 500,000.

    ”In cases of multiple perpetrators, the Court subject to its discretion, may exempt a perpetrator from the imprisonment penalty if he takes the initiative and reports the crime to the competent authorities prior to the knowledge of such authorities and if his actions lead to the arrest of the other perpetrators or seizure of the laundered money.

    ”Any establishment that commits an offence of money laundering, financing of terrorism or financing of any unlawful organizations, shall be punished by a fine of AED 300,000 and AED 1,000,000.

    ”Failure to report a suspicious transaction shall be punishable by imprisonment and /or a fine of between AED 50,000 and AED 300,000.

    ”Tipping off a person being investigated regarding a suspicious transaction shall be punishable by imprisonment of up to one year and/ or a fine of between AED10,000 and AED 100,000.

    ”Violation of the requirements of Airport Declarations shall be punishable by imprisonment and or a fine.”

  • UAE accuses Qatar of leaking demands, foiling mediation

    UAE accuses Qatar of leaking demands, foiling mediation

    The United Arab Emirates on Friday accused Qatar of derailing mediation efforts by leaking the list of demands sent by his country and the three other Arab states that cut ties with Doha over its alleged support for terrorism.

    Qatar’s emir “must realise that the solution to his crisis is not with Tehran, Beirut or Ankara, or Western capitals and the media, but [a solution] is through the return of confidence in him by his neighbours,” UAE’s minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, wrote on Twitter.

    “Qatar leaking demands and concerns of its neighbors & Egypt either attempt to undermine serious mediation or yet another sign of callous policy,” wrote Gargash in a string of tweets on his official account.

    He warned that “leakage will further exasperate and prolong the Qatar crisis.”

    Kuwait has handed Qatar a list of demands by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, the Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera reported earlier Friday.

    Kuwait said the list has not been sanctioned by either Qatar or Kuwait, which has been trying to mediate between the two sides.

    Gargash argued that the “crisis is real” and is being ignited by the “confused” administration of Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

    “Sometimes, divorce is better,” Gargash wrote.

    The Qatari emir’s role in providing “funding, a media and political platform” to serve “the agenda of extremism cannot be accepted,” he said.

    Al Jazeera Media Network is owned and funded by the Qatari royal family.

    The network, especially the Arabic-language channel, has repeatedly angered Arab leaders since its establishment in 1996, shaking up a broadcasting world until then dominated by government mouthpieces.

    One of the biggest disputes was in 2002, when Saudi Arabia withdrew its ambassador to Doha to protest at Al Jazeera’s “negative” coverage of Saudi politics.

    In recent years, critics have argued that it is strongly supportive of Islamists, especially Egypt’s now-banned Muslim Brotherhood.

    Meanwhile, Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik attacked the demands presented to Qatar, which reportedly includes shutting down a Turkish military base in the small Gulf country.

    “I have not seen this request formally yet, but it might mean intervention in bilateral relations,” he said, according to private broadcaster NTV.

    “I say that the Turkish base in Qatar is for the training of Qatari soldiers, for the security of Qatar and the region. Nobody should be bothered by this.

    “There is no such consideration to bring this agreement back to the table,” Isik added.

    On June 5, the four countries severed diplomatic ties and transportation links with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism.

    Doha has repeatedly denied the accusations.

    The four countries have not made their demands public yet.

    Later in June, several African countries cut relations with Qatar and others downgraded ties.

    On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urged the Arab countries involved in a diplomatic spat with Qatar to present their demands.

    “Our role has been to encourage the parties to get their issues on the table, clearly articulated, so that those issues can be addressed and some resolution process can get underway to bring this to a conclusion,” he said.

    “Our desire is for unity within the Gulf,” he added.

  • UAE firm partners OAS Helicopters on logistics  

    United Arab Emirates helicopter company Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) has signed an agreement with Nigerian aircraft charter operator OAS Helicopters to provide logistics services for oil and gas operations

    Part of the terms of the agreement include the acquisition and arrival of ADA’s 15-seater full offshore equipped helicopter AW-139 with registration number A6-AWH at OAS’ newTerminal  NAFBASE Airport, Port Harcourt, last week.

    The aircraft arrival completed the take off of ADA and OAS’ relationship, which had been undergoing technical and legal structuring since 2015.

    In the relationship, Abu Dhabi Aviation is coming with long years of successful oil and gas helicopter support experiences, which started since 1976 and has developed to over 60 aircraft in active operation.

    The aircraft has over 1,000,000 flight hours supporting oil and gas exploration throughout the countries of the Middle East, Brazil, Spain, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.

    According to Abu Dhabi Aviation’s AFB Contracts manager, Kevin Den Hertog, ”ADA had always wanted to invest in Nigeria but  had searched and waited to find a reliable and resilient partner, which eventually clicked with OAS’ history and ability to remain firm in operation for over 10years despite daunting challenges.

    He said with the level of implementation on the proposed business plan so far, his company was confident that the OAS and ADA partnership will enrich the Nigeria oil and gas aviation.

    “Important to our success over the years has been an ever increasing engagement with strategic partners worldwide in the formation of healthy joint ventures that support oil and gas exploration in the deepest possible offshore with impeccable safety records,” Hertog said.

    The company’s Nigeria operations Lead Pilot, Capt. Westwood James, added that the ADA and OAS technical partnership was structurally designed to guarantee and deliver credible, safe and stable services in Nigeria’s oil and gas aviation, and that they are here in Nigeria to drive the design to excellence.

    On his part , OAS Managing Director and CEO, Capt Evarest Nnaji, described the  kick off of the partnership as  a landmark .

    He said the arrival and the physical presence of ADA crew and equipment was one investment step Nigeria aviation will enjoy moving forward, especially in the area of oil and gas aircraft support services.

    He said:  ”We looked at ADA’s capacity to play at the highest echelons in the oil and gas aviation support, and their ability and willingness to build and transfer know-how in all the other international environments where they operate, and concluded that not only is ADA valuable to huge business profitability, but that they are equally reputable for reliable and consistent long term business relationship.

    Nnaji said ADA’s safety record, volume of investment and ability to deliver excellent services even in the most difficult environment speaks for itself.

    He added that OAS’ huge desire to provide services that meet the best possible international standard for Nigeria’s oil and gas aviation was the driving force in the relationship with ADA.

  • Egypt, Saudi Arabia, three others cut links with Qatar

    Egypt, Saudi Arabia, three others cut links with Qatar

    Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen have cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of destabilising the region.

    They claimed Qatar backs militant groups including so-called Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda, which Qatar has denied.

    The Saudi state news agency SPA said Riyadh had closed its borders, severing land, sea and air contact with the tiny peninsula of Qatar.

    Qatar called the decision “unjustified” and with “no basis in fact.”

    The BBC reports that the unprecedented move is being seen as a significant split between powerful Gulf countries, who are also close United States allies.

    It comes in the context of increased tensions between Gulf countries and their near-neighbour Iran.

    The Saudi statement accused Qatar of collaborating with Iranian-backed militias.

    The diplomatic withdrawal was put into motion by Bahrain then Saudi Arabia early on Monday. Their allies swiftly followed.

    SPA cited officials as saying the decision was taken to “protect its national security from the dangers of terrorism and extremism.”

    The three Gulf countries have given Qatari nationals two weeks to leave their territory.

  • UAE boosts OPEC production cut compliance

    UAE boosts OPEC production cut compliance

    ORGANISATION of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) oil output may fall for a third straight month as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) made progress in trimming supplies while maintenance and unrest cut production in exempted nations – Nigeria and Libya, a Reuters survey showed yesterday.

    The production cut by the UAE has boosted OPEC compliance this month with its production-cutting deal to 95 per cent, up from an initial February estimate of 94 per cent and a record high, according to the survey.

    The UAE will comply fully with its OPEC commitment to reduce oil production by more than 139,000 barrels per day (bpd) in this month and next, Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazroui said.

    “UAE production cut for March and April will be more than 139,000 bpd due to the maintenance activities, which means more than 100 per cent compliance,” Al Mazroui said.

    The OPEC pledged to reduce output by about 1.2 million bpd from January 1 – the first accord on supply curbs since 2008. Non-OPEC countries pledged to cut about half as much.

    OPEC wants to end a glut that is keeping oil below $52 a barrel, half the level of mid-2014. But stocks are still high despite strong OPEC compliance, boosting expectations that the group will seek to prolong the agreement.

    “OPEC is now facing the prospect of falling short of its objective,” said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM. “Bulging global oil stockpiles will not draw down to the five-year average unless OPEC-led cuts are extended.”

    Compliance of 95 per cent is higher than OPEC achieved in its last cut in 2009, Reuters surveys showed. Analysts, including those at the International Energy Agency (IEA) have put adherence in 2017 even higher, with the IEA calling it a record.

  • Gyan under fire in UAE over hair style

    Gyan under fire in UAE over hair style

     

     

    Ghanaian international Asamoah Gyan has been found guilty of having ‘unethical hair’ under United Arab Emirates Football Association guidelines.

    The 31-year-old, who is currently on loan at Arabian Gulf League side Al-Ahbi from Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai SIPG, has recently returned from the African Cup of Nations in Gabon where he was representing Ghana.

    Gyan, who sports a mowhawk and shaved sides, is one of 46 players to have breached the guidelines.

    According to the BBC, the UAE FA sends a player’s club a warning letter in the first instance after being found guilty.

    Punishments then escalate to a fine and then a possible ban if the player fails to change their hairstyle.

    The rules are derived from Islamic teachings, some of which ban ‘Qaza’ hairstyles, which include mohawks.

    A ‘Qaza’ hairstyle is one in which the hair at the side of the head is cut or shaved shorter than the hair on top.

    Referees have the discretion to judge on a match-by-match basis whether players’ haircuts are acceptable.

    Officials in the UAE are strict about compliance with the rules as they are concerned about the styles influencing kids watching in the stands.

    Confusion still reigns over what styles are exactly forbidden under the new legislation.

    Al-Ain star Omar Abdulrahman has been told he is exempt from the haircut law for his flowing locks.

    However, Al-Wahda’s Suhail Al-Mansoori, who sported a very similar style was forced to cut his hair under the laws of the game.

    Many foreign players moving to Gulf countries to play their football have fallen foul of the rule in recent years.

    Last year, goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah was forced into a pre-match haircut pitchside after officials picked up on the design on his head.

    Former Sunderland striker Gyan has made eight appearances in the UAE Gulf League, scoring twice.