The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has called for stronger legal cooperation with Nigeria to tackle unlawful activities.
The embassy disclosed this in a statement on Thursday against the backdrop of a report, linking a Nigerian citizen resident in Russia to the funding of student protests in Edo State.
The embassy attributed the report to Mr Patrick Ebojele, Press Secretary to Edo Governor, Mr Monday Okpebholo, regarding student protests in Ekpoma on Jan. 13, alleging involvement of a Nigerian based in Russia.
According to the embassy, two draft bilateral agreements currently under consideration by the Nigerian government could provide a framework for jointly investigating such allegations.
The agreements include one on Cooperation between the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation and the Federal Ministry of Justice of Nigeria.
Also, the Agreement on Cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Interior of Nigeria.
The embassy explained that the signing of the agreements would enable effective cooperation with Russian law enforcement agencies in investigating any unlawful actions involving Nigerian citizens.
It recalled an agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed between Russia and Nigeria in 2018, but had yet to enter into force due to the absence of ratification by the Nigerian government.
The embassy further expressed the hope to work on the outstanding agreements that would help to strengthen collaboration between relevant agencies in both countries, toward preventing criminal and unlawful activities.
