Russian Embassy calls for stronger Nigeria–Russia legal cooperation

The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria has reacted to allegations linking a Nigerian citizen based in Russia to the recent student protests in Ekpoma, Edo State.

It urged closer legal and law enforcement cooperation between both countries to address any suspected unlawful activities.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the Russian Embassy referred to comments made on January 13 by Patrick Ebojele, Press Secretary to the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, in which he alleged that a Nigerian residing in Russia may have financed riots aimed at discrediting the Edo State government during the student protests.

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Responding to the claims, the Embassy emphasised the importance of established legal frameworks and bilateral cooperation in investigating allegations of criminal conduct involving citizens of either country.

It disclosed that drafts of two key bilateral agreements between Russia and Nigeria are currently under consideration by the Nigerian authorities.

According to the Embassy, the proposed agreements include a Cooperation Agreement between the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation and the Federal Ministry of Justice of Nigeria, as well as a Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Interior of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The signing of these agreements, it noted, would significantly enhance the capacity of both countries to jointly investigate alleged unlawful activities involving Nigerian citizens residing in Russia.

The Russian mission further recalled that an Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Russian Federation and the Federal Republic of Nigeria was signed in 2018.

However, the Embassy noted that the agreement has yet to enter into force due to the absence of ratification by the Nigerian side.

The Embassy called for accelerated progress on the pending agreements, stressing that their conclusion would strengthen institutional ties between relevant agencies in both countries.

Such cooperation, it added, would be instrumental in preventing and addressing criminal activities, including those with cross-border dimensions.

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