A civil rights group, Tap Initiative for Citizens’ Development, has urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to ratify the Malabo Protocol to strengthen the country’s fight against terrorism and drug trafficking.
The group said Nigeria’s leadership should view the protocol not as an abstract legal framework, but as a practical and urgent tool for justice and fight against violent crimes.
Speaking with journalists on Thursday in Abuja, the executive director of the organisation, Mr Martin Obono, described the protocol as a landmark African Union legal instrument designed to strengthen justice, accountability and the fight against serious crimes across the continent.
“Our country continues to grapple with terrorism, trafficking, and transnational crimes that demand stronger and more coordinated judicial responses beyond national borders.
“The protocol, adopted in 2014 by the African Union in Malabo, seeks to expand the jurisdiction of the African Court of Justice and Human and Peoples’ Rights to cover international and transnational crimes,’’ Obono said.
According to him, the crimes include war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, terrorism, trafficking in persons, drug trafficking and unconstitutional changes of government.
“Only Angola has ratified the protocol since its adoption in 2014, Nigeria is well-positioned to lead the continent in advancing the instrument because of its historical role in shaping African governance frameworks.
“Nigeria has long stood at the forefront of advancing justice and the rule of law in Africa.
“ Ratifying the Malabo Protocol is an opportunity for the country to once again demonstrate leadership and commitment to continental accountability mechanisms,” he said.
Obono further observed that Nigeria had continued to face significant challenges in prosecuting perpetrators of terrorism and related crimes due to structural constraints.
He said these included limited prosecutorial capacity and concerns over the safety of judges, witnesses and victims.
“This is not about surrendering sovereignty; it is about reinforcing justice.
“A regional criminal jurisdiction provides the independence, security, and institutional strength required to ensure that perpetrators of grave crimes are held accountable,” Obono said.
The group also highlighted the growing threat of human trafficking, drug trafficking and the illegal movement of hazardous waste affecting Nigeria and other African countries.
It said that such crimes were explicitly addressed under the protocol.
“The organisation has taken several steps to advance Nigeria’s ratification of the protocol, including submitting a memorandum to the Federal Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs.
“We have also taken other steps by convening a coalition of civil society and legal experts, and engaging key government stakeholders in Abuja.’’
The executive director said that the group was collaborating with Atrocities Watch Africa to mobilise a continent-wide coalition aimed at securing the protocol’s entry into force by 2028.
“Ratifying the Malabo Protocol will send a clear message to Nigerians and to the world that Nigeria is serious about justice, accountability, and the rule of law,” he said.
He added that it will also catalyze momentum across the continent and encourage other African Union member states to follow suit
The group called on the federal government to act without delay, while also urging the National Assembly to support the ratification process.
It further encouraged civil society organisations, legal practitioners and citizens to support the campaign.
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