In a major step forward in the fight against cybercrime, Nigeria has officially launched a Joint Case Team on Cybercrime, uniting key law enforcement and justice agencies to more effectively detect, investigate, and prosecute digital offenses. The launch, which took place in Abuja on April 29, 2025, is being hailed as a landmark moment in the country’s digital justice efforts.
The new task force is supported by the UK National Crime Agency, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and the Commonwealth Secretariat—marking a significant push toward stronger international cooperation in tackling cybercrime.
A Unified Front Against a Growing Threat
Speaking at the event, Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, described the initiative as “a bold and transformative stride in Nigeria’s justice system.”
While Nigeria already has a legal framework to combat cybercrime, Fagbemi emphasized that effective enforcement depends on people—not just policies.
“It is the people who interpret, enforce and apply these laws that must be equipped, united and empowered to act swiftly, cohesively, and effectively,” he said. “An effective criminal justice response requires seamless cooperation between relevant actors – the investigators and prosecutors.”
The Joint Case Team brings together representatives from several key agencies:
•Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre
•Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
•Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU)
•National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)
•Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT)
•Office of the National Security Adviser
•Federal Ministry of Justice
•Federal High Court, including serving judges
Global Support for a Global Issue
Lord Hanson, the UK’s Minister for Fraud, also attended the launch during his bilateral visit to Nigeria. He underscored the human cost of cybercrime:
“Fraud ruins lives. It strips people of their savings, their confidence, and their sense of security,” he said. “The fact so many of these crimes now originate overseas makes our international partnerships more important than ever.”
He added that the UK-Nigeria agreement will help both countries better identify fraud networks, prevent financial crimes before they happen, and hold offenders accountable.
Built on International Collaboration
The foundation for the Joint Case Team was laid in 2024 during a retreat hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat, where Nigerian justice and security officials drafted a set of standard operating procedures to streamline collaboration in cybercrime cases.
Dr. Elizabeth Macharia, Acting Head of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Rule of Law Section, praised Nigeria’s initiative and reaffirmed the Secretariat’s support.
“We are confident that this team will make Nigeria’s cybercrime response faster, stronger and more connected, so that it brings justice closer to the people who need it most.”
Why It Matters
Nigeria remains one of the countries most affected by cybercrime globally, with cases ranging from romance and investment fraud to business email compromise and identity theft. Financial losses continue to mount, and cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
By consolidating resources and improving inter-agency coordination—with strong international backing—the Joint Case Team aims to shift Nigeria’s approach from reactive enforcement to proactive, coordinated, and tech-savvy prevention.
Conclusion
As digital threats grow both in scale and complexity, Nigeria’s launch of the Joint Case Team on Cybercrime sends a strong message: the country is ready to lead by example in building international partnerships to fight cybercrime. With coordinated efforts and global support, there’s hope for a safer digital future—not just for Nigeria, but for the world.
