In a bid to streamline the prosecution of high profile corruption cases, the Federal Government through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) on Thursday gave fiat to the 36 states Attorneys General and Commis-sioners for Justice to prosecute criminal cases within their respective jurisdictions.
Malami revealed that the action was to enhance quick dispensation of criminal cases and reduce the number of Awaiting Trial Inmates (AWT) in the nation’s detention centres.
The AGF stated this on Thursday at a meeting with the Body of Attorneys General of the 36 states of the federation in Abuja.
The meeting was convened to adopt the proposed national policy on prosecution, code of con-duct and guidelines for prosecutors in the country.
In the course of the first meeting between the AGF and the AGs of states two months ago in Abuja, a draft national Policy on prosecution, code of conduct for prosecutors and the national guidelines on prosecution was presented to them for consideration and adoption.
However, due to some concerns raised by some AGs with respect to the implementation of the policy, a committee was then set up to consider all the issues raised and make recommendations which will be received and considered.
Yesterday’s meeting was, therefore, to formally present the committee report for adoption to en-able work on the policy to be finalised.
Addressing the forum, the AGF explained that the adoption of the policy documents and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 by states of the federation will among others, promote effective and efficient criminal justice administration, remove impediments to speedy dispensation of justice.
