(Commonwealth)_ In a significant move to combat the growing threat of cybercrime, Nigeria has launched a new initiative called the Joint Case Team on Cybercrime, aimed at strengthening the country’s ability to investigate and prosecute digital offenses. The team brings together several of Nigeria’s key justice and security agencies into a single, coordinated unit. The initiative is supported by the UK National Crime Agency, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, and the Commonwealth Secretariat, reflecting a broader international effort to enhance global cooperation on cyber threats.
The official launch of the Joint Case Team took place in Abuja on 29 April 2025. Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, described the launch as a critical advancement in Nigeria’s justice sector. While the country already has a legal framework in place to address cybercrime, the creation of this team acknowledges that legislation alone is insufficient to curb the increasingly complex and transnational nature of cyber threats.
The initiative recognizes the importance of equipping and empowering personnel responsible for enforcing and interpreting cyber laws. It focuses on fostering unity, quick action, and effective collaboration among various actors in the criminal justice system, particularly between investigators and prosecutors.
Cybercrime continues to be a major challenge for Nigeria, with individuals and businesses increasingly falling victim to online fraud, scams, and financial crimes. These offenses often cause significant financial loss and emotional distress, and their transnational nature makes them difficult to trace and prosecute using traditional law enforcement approaches. The Joint Case Team is designed to fill this gap by promoting a unified response mechanism and improving coordination across multiple agencies.
The United Kingdom has taken a leading role in supporting this initiative. Lord Hanson, the UK’s Minister for Fraud, attended the launch during his bilateral visit to Nigeria. He emphasized the need for international collaboration to tackle cybercrime effectively, particularly as many such crimes originate across borders. By working closely with Nigeria, the UK hopes to improve early detection, prevention, and prosecution of cybercriminal activities, ultimately enhancing protection for citizens in both countries.
The formation of the Joint Case Team can be traced back to a retreat organized in 2024 by the Commonwealth Secretariat, with UK government support. During this retreat, Nigerian justice and security officials collaborated to develop standard operating procedures that would guide the team’s coordinated response to cybercrime cases. These procedures are intended to streamline workflows and ensure that agencies can respond swiftly and cohesively when cyber incidents occur.
The team itself is made up of representatives from a broad range of national agencies. These include the Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Centre, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team under the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and members of the Federal High Court.
The initiative is also intended to bridge the gap between policy and enforcement. By involving a wide spectrum of institutions, from investigators and intelligence analysts to legal professionals and judges, the Joint Case Team is positioned to deliver a comprehensive, end-to-end response to cybercrime in Nigeria.
Supporters of the initiative believe it will help accelerate the delivery of justice for victims of cybercrime, reduce the financial and social toll of online offenses, and serve as a model for other nations facing similar digital threats. The Commonwealth Secretariat and its partners expressed confidence that the team would enhance Nigeria’s capabilities to respond to cyber incidents more rapidly, effectively, and in a more integrated manner. As cybercrime continues to evolve in scale and complexity, initiatives like the Joint Case Team reflect Nigeria’s commitment to modernizing its justice system and reinforcing global partnerships in the fight against digital crime.
