President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly have received urgent calls from civil rights groups and legal experts to ratify the Malabo Protocol. This landmark African Union legal instrument is deemed crucial for strengthening Nigeria’s fight against all forms of violent and transnational crimes, including terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, and corruption, which pose significant threats to the nation's development and survival.

Adopted in 2014 by the African Union in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, the Protocol aims to expand the jurisdiction of the African Court of Justice and Human and Peoples’ Rights. This expansion would allow the court to address international and transnational crimes such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, terrorism, trafficking in persons, drug trafficking, and unconstitutional changes of government, thereby establishing a more robust regional criminal jurisdiction.

Mr. Martin Obono, Executive Director of Tap Initiative for Citizens’ Development, emphasized that Nigeria's leadership should perceive the Malabo Protocol as an urgent and practical tool for justice rather than an abstract legal framework. He highlighted the country's ongoing struggle with terrorism, trafficking, and transnational crimes, which necessitate stronger and more coordinated judicial responses that extend beyond national borders. Nigeria has historically faced considerable challenges in prosecuting perpetrators of terrorism and related offenses due to structural constraints, including limited prosecutorial capacity and concerns regarding the safety of judges, witnesses, and victims.

Constitutional lawyer Abdul Mahmud, speaking at a security and governance dialogue in Abuja, underscored that ratifying the protocol would significantly enhance regional cooperation, improve intelligence sharing, and strengthen the prosecution of terrorism-related offenses. He stated that the Malabo Protocol provides a solid legal framework for African countries to jointly address these cross-border threats to peace and stability across the continent. Obono further clarified that ratifying the protocol is not about surrendering sovereignty but about reinforcing justice, as a regional criminal jurisdiction offers the independence, security, and institutional strength required to hold perpetrators of grave crimes accountable.

Despite its adoption in 2014, only Angola has ratified the protocol to date. However, advocates believe Nigeria, given its historical role in shaping African governance frameworks, is uniquely positioned to lead the continent in advancing the Protocol. Ratification would serve as an opportunity for Nigeria to once again demonstrate leadership and commitment to continental accountability mechanisms.

To accelerate Nigeria’s ratification, organizations like Tap Initiative have undertaken several strategic actions. These include submitting formal memorandums to the Federal Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs, convening a coalition of civil society and legal experts, and engaging key government stakeholders in Abuja. Tap Initiative is also collaborating with Atrocities Watch Africa (AWA) to mobilize a continent-wide coalition, aiming to secure the Protocol’s entry into force by 2028.

Mr. Obono affirmed that ratifying the Malabo Protocol would send a clear message to Nigerians and the world about the country’s seriousness regarding justice, accountability, and the rule of law. It would also catalyze momentum across the continent, encouraging other African Union member states to follow suit. Accordingly, civil rights groups have called upon the federal government to act without delay, urged the National Assembly to prepare to support the ratification process, and encouraged civil society, legal practitioners, and citizens to lend their voices to this critical campaign.