EU, NIGERIA STRENGTHEN ALLIANCE TO COMBAT TRANSNATIONAL CRIME

EU and Nigeria deepen judicial cooperation to tackle transnational crime, signing a strategic pact to streamline investigations and prosecutions.

Eu-nigeria cooperation Transnational crime Judicial partnerships
EU and Nigeria flags
EU and Nigeria flags


The European Union and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Justice have intensified their partnership to combat transnational organized crime, signing a strategic working arrangement to streamline investigations, arrests, and prosecutions across borders. The agreement, formalized during a high-level meeting in Abuja on June 17, marks a significant step toward enhanced judicial cooperation, with a focus on tackling cross-border criminal networks.

José de la Mata Amaya, Vice President of Eurojust, the EU’s agency for criminal justice cooperation, emphasized the borderless nature of modern crime. “Effective collaboration among states is essential to put criminals behind bars,” Amaya said, speaking at the meeting hosted by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Justice. He highlighted the need for mutual support, noting that Nigeria requires assistance in cases involving EU member states, just as EU nations benefit from stronger ties with Nigerian authorities.

The working arrangement lays the groundwork for deeper collaboration, with plans to explore a formal international agreement in the future. “This is about teamwork—respecting international conventions and the rights of those under investigation while pursuing our shared goal of criminal justice,” Amaya said. The initiative aims to increase joint cases, improve best practices, and address challenges in cross-border investigations.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS Gautier Mignot described the agreement as a testament to shared resolve. “This meeting reflects our collective commitment to fight transnational organized crime more efficiently,” Mignot said, crediting the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for facilitating the partnership. The meeting included representatives from UNODC, EU delegations, and other agencies focused on criminal prosecution.

Nigeria’s Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, underscored the agreement’s roots in a 2023 pact aimed at strengthening judicial cooperation. “This arrangement enhances our ability to resolve cases that might otherwise falter due to jurisdictional barriers,” Jeddy-Agba said. She announced plans for upcoming dialogues to deepen mutual understanding of legal systems and identify areas for more effective collaboration.

The partnership seeks to bolster Nigeria’s and the EU’s capacity to address complex crimes, from trafficking to financial fraud, by fostering seamless coordination between judges and prosecutors. With both sides committed to practical implementation, the agreement signals a new era of international judicial cooperation, promising a more robust response to transnational threats.

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