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The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria, has said its hands are tied over a Nigerian living in Russia alleged to be sponsoring protest in Edo State.
The Embassy of the Russian Federation stated this in response to a statement by the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, through his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, alleging that a Nigerian living in Russia was sponsoring the protest that engulfed Ekpoma, Edo State, as a result of kidnapping in the area.
The Embassy explained that the agreements between Russia and Nigeria which would help to investigate any unlawful activities of Nigerian citizens in cooperation with Russian law enforcement agencies, were yet to be ratified by Nigeria.
The Embassy said: “ We note the recent statement by Patrick Ebojele, the press secretary of the Governor of Edo State, made on January 13 this year regarding student protests in Ekpoma, which in particular, refers to the alleged involvement of a Nigerian citizen living in Russia in financing riots aimed at discrediting the government of Edo State.
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“In this regard, we draw attention to the fact that the drafts of two Russian-Nigerian agreements are currently under consideration by the Nigerian side, the signing of which would help to investigate any unlawful activities of Nigerian citizens in cooperation with Russian law enforcement agencies.”
The Embassy of the Russian Federation further said the agreements are the Agreement on Cooperation between Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation and the Federal Ministry of Justice of Nigeria; 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.
“In addition, it should be noted that in 2018, the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters was signed, but it did not enter into force because the Nigerian side did not ratify it,” the Embassy of the Russian Federation stated.
It however said it hoped that work on the documents will proceed at a faster pace so that closer ties can be established between the designated agencies of Russia and Nigeria to prevent unlawful and criminal activities.
