Russia calls for closer cooperation with Nigeria on criminal matters
The Russian Federation has urged stronger collaboration with Nigeria to investigate and curb unlawful and criminal activities, the Russian Embassy in Nigeria stated yesterday in Abuja.
The call follows media reports on protests in Edo State, where youths demonstrated against insecurity, particularly kidnapping. The Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele, alleged on January 13 that a Nigerian citizen residing in Russia was financing the protests to discredit the Edo State Government.
“We noted the recent statement by Patrick Ebojele… regarding student protests in Ekpoma, which refers to the alleged involvement of a Nigerian citizen living in Russia in financing riots aimed at discrediting the government of Edo State,” the embassy said.
Draft agreements could aid investigations
The embassy highlighted two draft agreements between Russia and Nigeria that, if ratified, would enable joint investigations into alleged unlawful activities by Nigerian citizens abroad.
One agreement involves cooperation between the Prosecutor General’s Office of Russia and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Justice, while the other covers collaboration between the Ministries of Internal Affairs of both countries.
A previous agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed in 2018, has not entered into force due to Nigeria’s non-ratification.
“We hope that work on these documents will proceed at a faster pace so that closer ties can be established between the designated agencies of Russia and Nigeria to prevent unlawful and criminal activities,” the embassy added.
