The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has responded to a statement by the press service of Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, regarding protests in Ekpoma, saying it notes the allegations of a Nigerian citizen living in Russia financing riots aimed at discrediting the government of Edo State.
In a statement, the Russian 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.”
The Embassy highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation between Russia and Nigeria, including two draft agreements currently under consideration by the Nigerian side. These agreements aim to facilitate cooperation between Russian and Nigerian law enforcement agencies to investigate unlawful activities.
“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 statement read.
The agreements in question include the Agreement on Cooperation between Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation and the Federal Ministry of Justice of Nigeria, and 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 Russian Embassy also referenced a 2018 agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, which has not yet been ratified by Nigeria. “We hope that work on these 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,” the statement added.