The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has reacted to reports linking a Nigerian living in Russia to the alleged funding of student protests in Ekpoma, Edo State.

Naija News reports that the reaction followed comments made on January 13 by Patrick Ebojele, the press secretary to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, who spoke on student protests in Ekpoma and mentioned the possible involvement of a Nigerian resident in Russia.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the embassy said there are two draft agreements currently being reviewed by the Nigerian government that could help both countries jointly investigate such claims.

These agreements involve cooperation between Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Justice, as well as between the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs and Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior.

The embassy explained that once these agreements are signed, they would make it easier for Nigerian and Russian law enforcement agencies to work together when investigating alleged illegal actions involving Nigerian citizens.

It also pointed out that an Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters signed by both countries in 2018 has not taken effect because it has not been approved by the Nigerian government.

The Russian Embassy expressed hope that Nigeria would move faster on the pending agreements so that closer cooperation can be achieved between relevant agencies in both countries, especially in efforts to prevent criminal and unlawful activities.