International Parental Child Abduction Federal Republic of Nigeria
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DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change
without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed to practice in the relevant
jurisdiction.
December 2012
For information concerning travel to Nigeria, including information about the location of the U.S. Embassy, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for Nigeria at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_987.html.
Nigeria is not a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention), nor are there any bilateral agreements in force between Nigeria and the United States concerning international parental child abduction.
Back to TopLegal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country. Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Nigeria and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.
The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children’s Issues provides assistance in cases of international parental child abduction. For U.S. citizen parents whose children have been wrongfully removed to or retained in countries that are not U.S. partners under the Hague Abduction Convention, the Office of Children’s Issues can provide information and resources about country-specific options for pursuing the return of or access to an abducted child. The Office of Children’s Issues may also coordinate with appropriate foreign and U.S. government authorities about the welfare of abducted U.S. citizen children. Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance.
Contact information:
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20520
Telephone: 1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Fax: 202-736-9132
Website: http://travel.state.gov/abduction/abduction_580.html
Email: AskCI@state.gov
Parental child abduction is a criminal offense in Nigeria under the Criminal Code, Part V, Chapter 32, § 371. The Criminal Code Act is available at http://www.nigeria-law.org/Criminal%20Code%20Act-PartV.htm#Part%205.
Parents may wish to consult with an attorney in the United States and in the country to which the child has been removed or retained to learn more about how filing criminal charges may impact a custody case in the foreign court. Please see Possible Solutions - Pressing Criminal Charges for more information.
Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country. Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Nigeria and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.
The Office of Children’s Issues may be able to assist parents seeking access to children who have been wrongfully removed
from or retained outside the United States. Parents who are seeking access to children who were not wrongfully removed from
or retained outside the United States should contact the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Nigeria for information
and possible assistance.
Neither the Office of Children’s Issues nor consular officials at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General in Nigeria are authorized to provide legal advice.
The U.S. Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria , posts a list of attorneys, including those who specialize in family law at: http://nigeria.usembassy.gov/acs_abuja_legal_information.html
This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department
of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services
provided by, the persons or firms included in this list. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly
by the lawyers.
Some state level Ministries of Women’s Affairs offer free mediation services. Free mediation services are also available at some High Courts, such as the Abuja Multi-Door Courthouse, ADR Center, High Court of FCT, Abuja, Nigeria, 09-670-2432, www.amdcng.org. Mediation is voluntary.
The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General in Nigeria can be contacted at:
U.S. Embassy – Abuja (Middle Belt and Northern Part of Nigeria)
Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive
Central Business District, Abuja
Phone: (234)-9-461-4000
Fax: (234)-9-461-4171
E-Mail: Consularabuja@state.gov http://nigeria.usembassy.gov/consular_services.html
U.S. Consulate General Lagos (Southern part of Nigeria)
2 Walter Carrington Crescent
Victoria Island, Lagos
Phone: (234-1) 460-3400
Fax: (234)-1-261-2218
E-mail: LagosACS@state.gov
After hours emergency phone number: (234-1) 460-3600 or (234-1) 460-3400
The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is located in Washington, D.C., at:
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
3519 International Court Northwest
Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: (202) 986-8400
Fax: (202) 362-6541
Email: info@nigeriaembassyusa.org
Website: www.nigeriaembassyusa.org/
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