Nigeria Forms Cyber Prosecution Team

The Nigerian government has approved the formation of a cyber prosecution team to spearhead the country’s battle against cyber crime.

The Computer Crime Prosecution Unit (CCPU) will operate under the supervision of the Public Prosecution Department of the Federal Ministry of Justice. The new unit will be in charge of prosecutions of those suspected of cyber crimes, according to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

“Nigeria needs to have a robust cybersecurity and cyber crime prevention/prosecution structure to drive issues related to cyber crime,” AG Mohammed Bello Adoke said.

The unit will collaborate with the telecom and banking sectors, as well as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission..

“Officers to man the unit are to commence immediate training in basic cyber prosecutors’ courses and electronic evidence handling, amongst others, while other modalities for the effective takeoff of the CCPU are being worked out,” Adoke said.

Africa currently operates with little broadband Internet access. However, the continent is host to the most computer infections, which has provoked worry among cyber professionals.