Nigeria Urged to Ratify Malabo Protocol for Justice

Civil rights groups have called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to ratify the Malabo Protocol, which is designed to strengthen Nigeria's fight against various forms of violent crime, including terrorism and drug trafficking. Martin Obono, Executive Director of the Tap Initiative, emphasized that the protocol, adopted by the African Union in 2014, is a landmark legal instrument that expands the jurisdiction of the African Court of Justice to include serious crimes such as terrorism and drug trafficking.

He noted Nigeria's historical role in advancing justice and the rule of law in Africa, stating that ratifying the protocol would reaffirm Nigeria's leadership on the continent. Obono pointed out the significant challenges Nigeria faces in prosecuting terrorism-related crimes due to structural constraints, including limited prosecutorial capacity and safety concerns for judges and victims.

The Tap Initiative has undertaken several strategic actions to encourage ratification, including submitting a formal memorandum to the Federal Ministry of Justice and convening a coalition of civil society and legal experts.