*Orders compilation of pending cases in courts
The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation [AGF] and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, have given out a directive to the various agencies with prosecutorial powers in the country.
They are to compile list of pending cases they are currently handling at the various courts.
This is with a view to determine which of them falls within the category of high profile cases to be taken over by the National Prosecution Coordination Committee (NPCC).
Malami met with the various agencies in his office on Monday (8th August, 2016).
He is to brief them on the exigency and existence of the Committee and to fashion out a working synergy between the Committee and the Agencies.
His was contained in a statement by NPCC Head of Communication and Public Affairs, Comrade Salihu Othman Isah who doubles as the Special Adviser to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
He said Malami’s message was read by the Special Assistant to the President on Research and Special Project attached to the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Sylvester Imhanobe.
Imhanobe is also the Secretary of the Committee.
He used the occasion to inform the Agencies of the objectives for setting up the prosecution committee.
The NPCC spokesman said the AGF handed down a directive to the agencies to compile list of pending cases they are currently handling at the various courts.
They will then determine which of them falls into the category of high profile cases to be taken over by the Committee.
The agencies present at the meeting include :
1. Nigerian Police Force (NPF),
2. Department of State Services (DSS),
3. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),
4. Independent Corrupt Practices & other related offences Commission (ICPC) and,
5. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
The AGF explained further that for a case to be tagged high profile, it must have overriding public interest elements, but that ultimately he determines what case is tagged a high profile case.
He added that sometimes, the quantum of value of a case and its sensitivity also influences whether a case is a high profile case or not.
According to him, members of the Committee are mainly his aides as well as eight external members selected on the basis of experience and expertise.
He stressed that Heads of Agencies are not part of the NPCC due to their busy schedules.
Malami also hinted that the intention is not to distract the Heads of these Agencies, but rather to engender smooth synergy between the Committee and the Agencies.
The Special Assistant to the President on Coordination and International Affairs under the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Pius Oteh chaired the meeting.
He reiterated it was for the purpose of sensitizing the relevant Agencies on the objectives of the National Prosecution Coordination Committee.
He emphasized that the AGF in his wisdom saw the need for coordination and cooperation between the NPCC and these Agencies with prosecutorial and investigative powers.
He, thereby, surmised that it was necessary for cooperation and synergy between the Committee and the Agencies.
That, according to him, is consistent with the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari in the anti-graft war.
Oteh disclosed that beyond the synergy and partnership between all concerned, a robust interface between the Agencies was necessary.
He pointed out that the agencies should take their mandate seriously for a more vigorous and efficient prosecution.
He also opined that when it comes to delay in the justice system, every stakeholder has a responsibility.
He stressed that it was a cross cutting issue in which all key players share a responsibility vis-a-viz the judiciary, prosecutors, investigators and even defence counsels.
He, then, assured that when everyone does their bit, a more efficient and humane criminal justice system will be attained.
Besides Imhanobe and Oteh, others who represented the Ministry and the Committee at the meeting are:
i. Other Special Assistants to the President,
ii. Mrs. Juliet Chikaodili Ibekaku (Justice Reforms),
iii. Mr. Okoi Obono Obla (Prosecution),
iv. Mr. Kehinde Oginni (Financial Crimes) and,
v. a staff of the Ministry, Ms Aisha Bajeh.
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