Report has it that, the Federal Government of Nigeria, as reported by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have signed a treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters with the Federation of Russia.
George Edokpa, the Ministry’s spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.
The ministry explained, according to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), that the Treaty was negotiated in 2009 to enhance collaboration and cooperation between the two countries in the administration of criminal justice and signed in Moscow, Russia on Nov. 27, 2018.
The ministry explained further that the agreement would assist in the fight against corruption as it makes
provision for the tracing, recovery, forfeiture or confiscation of stolen assets, as well as the proceeds and instruments of crime.
The Statement reads: ”The Treaty was signed on behalf of Nigeria by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, while Russian Acting Minister of Justice, Mr Oleg Plokhoy, signed on behalf of his country.
”The Treaty on Legal Assistance in Criminal Matter is aimed at providing the necessary mechanism for cooperation in the fight against crime and criminal related matters.
”These include terrorism, as well as to counter every form of support to terrorism.”
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice was quoted, saying that, ”Nigeria will benefit immensely from this agreement.
”It will afford Nigeria the opportunity to request for the arrest, surrender, investigation and
prosecution of all persons who may have committed crimes and escaped to Russia.
”It will also secure the assurance of the Russian cooperation in the tracing, recovery and
repatriation of the stolen assets – NTA reports.
By Wisdom Peter,
