Nigeria and the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, (Eurojust), have signed a working arrangement to enable structured and closer cooperation in the fight against organised crime groups, (OCGs).
According to a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, (UNODC), communique,made public by Nigeria’s Attorney General, Lateef Olasunkanmi-Fagbemi, (SAN), signed the pact with the EU agency while at Netherlands funded conference ‘Transnational Organised Crime affecting West Africa and Europe’, Monday in The Hague.
The arrangement paves the way for the establishment of a contact point for Eurojust in Nigeria and closer communication for the swifter execution of requests for judicial cooperation on both sides and Nigeria is the first sub-Saharan African country to sign a working arrangement with the Agency.
Olasunkanmi-Fagbemi notes that the cooperation will impact “some very tangible and encouraging changes in the way we cooperate.
“Today, with the signing of the Working Arrangement, we are witnessing yet another milestone in breaking down barriers and building bridges—bridges across which we might still walk with some sense of caution wondering whether they will hold, but across which and of that I am certain, future generations of prosecutors will run with confidence.
“The working arrangement with Eurojust will enhance our cooperation. Let us work together to explore innovative solutions to best practices and new partnerships. Our collective strength and resolve are the keys to making areal difference in the fight against transnational organised crime.”
President of Eurojust, Ladislav Hamran said that “As the international dimension of organised crime continues to grow, the signing of the working arrangement with Nigeria offers a further basis for strengthening our cooperation.
“It is therefore of prime importance for Eurojust and it will undoubtedly benefit both our sides. Much in the same way, couldn’t be more pleased to welcome judicial and law enforcement experts from so many West African countries to Eurojust as an expression of our intention to combat global criminal networks together.”
UNODC Country Representative in Nigeria, Oliver Stolpe, said “Over these past five years, I have witnessed some very tangible and encouraging changes in the way we cooperates.
“With the signing of the working arrangement, we are witnessing yet another milestone in breaking down barriers and building bridges.”
The communique contains that the establishment of a Contact Point gives Eurojust and national authorities direct and better access to the Nigerian prosecution services and will facilitate the execution of judicial cooperation requests.
Conversely, the agreement will enable Nigerian authorities have better access to Eurojust and the judiciary in the 27 EU Member States and third countries with liaison prosecutors at the Agency.
The working agreement which comes into effect immediately,includes arrangements for the exchange of strategic information and communication with the Contact Point, as well as data protection provisions.
The Conference on Transnational Organised Crime affecting West Africa and Europe is being organised by Eurojust in cooperation with UNODC and the Siracusa International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights as a part of the PROMIS, (Protection of Migrants), project funded by the Netherlands.
