FG, UK Establish Joint Cybercrime Response Team To Tackle Digital Threats

The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Kingdom have signed a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to combat cybercrime between the two countries.

This MoU will allow for cooperative response to transnational crime, real-time information sharing and coordinated intelligence gathering, as well as prosecution between Nigeria and the UK.

The move suggests a collaborative effort to strengthen cybersecurity and address the growing issue of cybercrime.

However, the specific details of the MOU, including the parties involved and the areas of cooperation, will need to be further clarified based on the official documents.

Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi said the joint case team was a result of the need to fight cybercrime.

The highlight of the event was the official launch of the Joint Case Team on Cybercrime (JCTC), which the AGF described as a product of foresight, persistence and shared conviction.

Members of the JCTC were drawn from the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrimes Centre (NPFNCCC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (NgCert), from the Office of the National Security Adviser, Federal Ministry of Justice and the Federal High Court of Nigeria.

Specifically, the JCTC is in response to the need for a coordinated and robust approach to fighting cybercrimes as contemplated in the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.

Fagbemi stated that the unveiling of the new initiative was a bold paradigm shift in how we respond to the growing threats in cyberspace, adding, “We are coming together not just as institutions but as one community of justice.”

According to the AGF, while there is the need for a national legal framework for combatting cybercrime, it is important to note that laws alone cannot win battles, stressing the need to equip, unite and empower the people who interpret, enforce and apply the laws to act swiftly, cohesively and effectively.

He stated that “the Federal Ministry of Justice under the leadership of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is taking a deliberate, strategic and people-focused move designed to build bridges across mandates and cultivate synergy for the common fight against cybercrimes.

Fagbemi said the launch of the JCTC, reflects the country’s recognition that in the face of increasingly complex, transnational and digitally sophisticated crimes, the most potent weapon is not just technology but unity.

“This platform brings together some of our nation’s foremost criminal justice institutions, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Nigeria Police Force, National Cybercrimes Centre, the EFCC, NAPTIP, the NFIU, the Federal High Court and the Office of the National Security Adviser to strengthen criminal justice,” the AGF explained.

He expressed his appreciation to the UK’s National Crime Agency, the UK Foreign, the UK Minister of State, Lord David Hanson, Home Affairs and delegation to Nigeria, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Commonwealth Secretariat, “whose unwavering support is invaluable and has largely contributed to making today a reality.”

Responding, the UK Minister of State, Home Affairs of the UK, Lord David Hanson, said the MoU between the Nigerian government and the UK would tackle the issue of cybercrime and crack down on cyber criminals in Nigeria.

He expressed optimism that the agreement between the two countries would also develop the economy of Nigeria and that of the UK.

“We are pleased to support and help as we can, to add value to the fight against corruption, improve growth in Nigerian economy and that of the UK,” he stated.

Hanson further assured of the commitment of the UK to support Nigeria in the fight against cybercrimes and to bring cyber criminals to justice.

In a message to the event, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Director, Mr. Cheikh Toure said the initiative marks a significant stride in the collective efforts to combat cybercrime which transcends borders and impacts every sector of the society.

While assuring of the UNODC’s support in Nigeria’s fight against cybercrime, he said: “By working together and pooling resources and expertise, we can strengthen inter-agency coordination and build the capacity required to effectively investigate and prosecute cybercrime cases, ensuring justice and accountability in the face of evolving threats.