LASG Moves To Restrict Police From Criminal Prosecution In Courts

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Government, in partnership with the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, is working tirelessly to achieve its aim of  restricting the Nigeria Police from criminal prosecution in its court.

In a gradual fashion, this is coming to fulfillment, following this same feat achieved by the Kano State Government late last year.

The legal advisory committee on police prosecution of criminal cases in the state has recommended a gradual phase-out of prosecution of criminal cases by policemen to prevent a breakdown in the criminal justice system of the state.

Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, the State’s attorney general, made this disclosure in a press statement issued by the Justice ministry.

Onigbanjo noted that four out of the nine recommendations of the committee would be implemented immediately, while the remaining five would be addressed through the appropriate quarters.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria stressed that police prosecutors needed to be better trained and equipped to efficiently discharge the duties of prosecutors, as the ministry lacked the manpower to completely replace police prosecutors now.

He suggested that the Ministry of Justice would continue to provide the Nigeria Police with technical and infrastructural support to enhance the capacity of their prosecutors and investigators.

He added that government would employ a filter mechanism to checkmate case files through immediate deployment of district prosecutors to three pilot magisterial districts in the state, namely Ebute-Meta, Ikorodu and Ogba.

“With immediate effect we shall commence the deployment of district prosecutors in three magistrate courts to vet charges and review case files presented by investigation police officers to ensure they meet the evidential threshold required by law,” Onigbanjo said.

Onigbanjo added that henceforth, the police prosecutors would have a limited category and number of cases they can handle, and the category and maximum number of cases would be disclosed after a joint meeting with the judiciary and the state commissioner of police.

He also said this recommendation of the committee regarding police prosecutorial power and limitation would also be incorporated in the amendment of the Administration of Criminal Justice System, ACJL,  that will be presented to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.