The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria has reacted to allegations linking a Russia-based Nigerian citizen to the recent student protests in Ekpoma, Edo State.
It urged closer legal and law enforcement cooperation between the two countries to deal with any suspected illegal activities.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Russian Embassy cited comments by Patrick Abojele, press secretary to the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on January 13, in which he alleged that a Nigerian living in Russia may have funded the riots with the aim of discrediting the Edo State government during the student protests.
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Responding to the claims, the Embassy stressed the importance of the established legal framework and bilateral cooperation in investigating allegations of criminal conduct involving nationals of both countries.
It revealed that drafts of two major 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 Office of the Prosecutor General 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.
It said the signing of these agreements will significantly enhance the ability of both countries to jointly investigate alleged illegal activities involving Nigerian citizens living in Russia.
The Russian Mission further reminded 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 said the agreement has not yet come into force due to lack of ratification by the Nigerian side.
The Embassy called for accelerated progress on the pending agreements, stressing that their conclusion will strengthen institutional relations between the relevant agencies in the two countries.
It said such cooperation would be helpful in preventing and addressing criminal activities, including those with cross-border dimensions.
