In a decisive move to strengthen Nigeria’s digital security and enhance regulatory enforcement against cybercrime, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, has launched the Joint Case Team on Cybercrimes, a multi-agency task force aimed at identifying, investigating, and prosecuting cybercriminals nationwide.

Unveiled during a high-level event at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Maitama, Abuja, the initiative reflects a growing urgency to address Nigeria’s exposure to financial crime, cyber fraud, and cross-border digital threats.

“To Nigerians, we are building a system that will protect you, defend your rights, and bring cybercriminals to justice,” the AGF declared, emphasizing the government’s commitment to strengthening regulatory compliance frameworks and restoring digital trust.

The task force draws on the collective expertise of critical institutions, including:

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrimes Centre (NPFNCCC)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
The Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU)
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)
The Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (NgCERT)
The Federal Ministry of Justice
The Federal High Court

The AGF described the team as a “transformative step” within Nigeria’s criminal justice ecosystem, built on the core principles of coordination, compliance collaboration, and inter-agency synergy. He stressed that cybercrime, being a fast-evolving and borderless threat, demands seamless integration of investigative and prosecutorial efforts, backed by strong internal controls and governance frameworks.

“International cooperation can only be effective if national collaboration is consistently strengthened,” Fagbemi warned, highlighting the potential for cybercriminals to exploit regulatory gaps.

The Joint Case Team will operate under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, working to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and enhance regulatory risk management. The goal is to align strategies across institutions, promote real-time compliance monitoring, build cross-functional capacity, and deliver swift justice.

International partners—including the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and the Commonwealth Secretariat—were also recognized for their operational support, which includes the provision of IT infrastructure and foundational training for the team.

A Growing Threat Landscape

This development follows disturbing trends in cybercrime activity. According to the World Cybercrime Index, Nigeria was ranked 5th globally as a source of cybercriminal activity in early 2024, trailing behind Russia, Ukraine, China, and the United States. The report, compiled by researchers from the University of Oxford and the University of New South Wales, further validates growing calls for stronger regulatory intelligence and cybercrime prevention frameworks.

In 2022 alone, Nigeria reportedly lost over $500 million to cyber-related offenses, according to the EFCC—highlighting the urgent need for compliance enforcement, AML (Anti-Money Laundering) strategies, and robust digital fraud detection systems.

Addressing Emerging Forms of Cybercrime

The AGF’s initiative also comes on the heels of a warning issued by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding rising incidents of cyber slavery across West Africa. Vulnerable Nigerian youths are reportedly being trafficked under false pretenses of lucrative jobs, particularly in crypto-driven schemes, underscoring the need for greater consumer protection, digital literacy, and cross-border regulatory change management.

As Nigeria takes the lead in institutionalizing a collaborative response to cybercrime, this initiative signals a renewed commitment to building a secure, compliant, and resilient digital economy, where compliance technology plays a central role in protecting citizens, businesses, and national assets.