The Russian Embassy has taken note of the recent remarks by Patrick Ebojele, press secretary to the Governor of Edo State, made on January 13, concerning student protests in Ekpoma.
The statement specifically alleges the involvement of a Nigerian citizen residing in Russia in financing disturbances aimed at undermining the Edo State government.
In light of this, the Embassy has highlighted that drafts for two agreements between Russia and Nigeria are currently under review by the Nigerian authorities.
The signing of these agreements, the Russian Embassy added, is intended to facilitate investigations into any unlawful activities involving Nigerian citizens in collaboration with Russian law enforcement agencies.
These agreements include:
1). The Agreement on Cooperation between the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation and the Federal Ministry of Justice of Nigeria.
2). The Agreement on Cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Interior of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Russians further revealed that in 2018, an Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters was signed between the Russian Federation and Nigeria; however, it has yet to enter into force due to non-ratification by the Nigerian side.
“We express our hope that progress on these documents will accelerate, thereby strengthening collaboration between the relevant agencies of Russia and Nigeria to effectively combat unlawful and criminal activities.”
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