The Nigerian senate has ratified an extradition treaty with South Africa to facilitate the repatriation of crime suspects taking refuge in either country, officials said on Thursday.
The treaty, which had earlier been endorsed by the Nigerian Cabinet, now has to be approved by the House of Representatives to be binding.
The two African giants had signed the treaty in March 2002 in Johannesburg when Nigeria’s Vice President Atiku Abubakar visited South Africa.
The treaty was approved on Wednesday in Abuja following the recommendation of the senate committee on foreign affairs.
Committee chairperson Senator Jubril Aminu said the treaty would ”enhance effective cooperation between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Republic of South Africa in the suppression of crime”.
He said it would also allow for investigation, prosecution and suppression of crime, for the protection of citizens and for the maintenance of peace and public order in Nigeria and South Africa.
”It will serve as a tool that will enable citizens of both countries to become more familiar not only with their respective systems in this area, but also with the justice systems that are working in both countries to fight crime,” he added. – Sapa-AFP