Administration of Criminal Justice Monitor Committee (ACMNC) under the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, FCT command, German Cooperation, Deutsche Zusammenarbeit (Giz) has launched a policy document to ensure speedy trial of cases involving juveniles, illiterates, sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) and children in conflict with the law and Persons Living with Disability (PLWD) in the country.
The executive secretary of the ACMJ, Suleiman Daudu, stated this at the launch of the documents with the theme: “Standard Operations Procedure (SOP),” in Abuja.
Daudu said the goal of the launch was to enhance the need for full Cooperation between Police and other relevant agencies of government to achieve an efficient criminal system in Nigeria.
He said the Standard Operation Procedure is to guide cooperation and coordination in investigation and prosecutions of cases between the Nigeria Police Force and department of public prosecutions of the federation (DPPF) under the Federal Ministry of Justice respectfully.
“However, the administration of criminal justice Act (ACJA) 2015 focuses on addressing human rights issues, delays in the administration of criminal justice and overcrowding in detention facilities across the country, which requires that the key players involved, engaged in constant discussion to arrive at the consensus about sphere of operation, areas of cooperation and national priorities.”
The representative of the Nigeria Police Force FCT command under the legal prosecutions, James Idachaba, sought synergies with the department of public prosecutions (DPP) Standard Operating Procedure SOP to ensure speedy prosecutors cases of murder or culpable homicide, abduction/kidnapping, armed robbery, treason and treasonable felony, sexual and gender-based offence under the terrorism prevention Act 2011, violence maritime offences among others in line with our international base practices.
He said under the 1999 constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria, the attorney-general of the federation and minister of Justice (AGF) has the overriding power of prosecution of criminal cases in the country, the Police Act and ACJA equally gave prosecutorial power to the Nigeria Police Force as far as they legal qualified by the law.
“According to him, the power to investigate crime is predominantly a police power to its primary purpose of ensuring effective prosecutions of offense, it is not only desirable but essential for investigation to engage the prosecutors at the earliest stages and will ensure availability of vital evidence required for the prosecutor to discharge the onus of proof at the court of law.”
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