- The minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, says the lack of cooperation among security agencies in Nigeria prompted the ministry to set up an investigation unit
- Malami states that the unit will tackle consistent rejection of vital evidence in the course of prosecution
- The minister of justice says the unit will also coordinate and form part of every investigation in Nigeria
The Federal Ministry of Justice has set up an investigation unit to probe sensitive and important cases in Nigeria.
READ ALSO: Gunmen kidnap 11 passengers in Rivers state
Speaking on the formation of the investigation unit, the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, told journalists on Tuesday, August 29 in Abuja that the lack of effective cooperation and collaboration among the criminal justice system and security agencies in Nigeria prompted the ministry to set up the unit, The Cable reports.
The minister said the unit will tackle consistent rejection of vital evidence in the course of prosecution.
He said the duties of the unit will include coordinating and forming part of every investigation in Nigeria to bring about legal expertise in the conduct and process of investigations by the various security agencies.
Malami said the robust investigation and prosecution of the various cases being investigated in the country will also be undertaken by the unit.
Statement by Malami read in part: “Consequent upon want of expertise in the conduct and process of investigations by various security agencies in Nigeria and the need to address such anomalies, leading to consistent rejection of vital/relevant evidence in the course of prosecution and or the writing down of the probative value of such evidence owing to inappropriate investigation, my office as a result, and in line with the constitutional powers conferred on me as the chief law officer of the federation, and by virtue of Section 105 (1) and (3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, hereby deem it fit to establish an investigation unit within the ministry.
“This unit shall coordinate and form part of every investigation in Nigeria for robust investigation and successful prosecution of such cases.
PAY ATTENTION: Watch more videos on NAIJ.com TV
“The core function/mandate of the Investigation Unit shall consist of the following: To advise every security agency carrying out investigation on the best lawful and admissible means of such investigation for effective prosecution thereafter.
“To actively form part of every sensitive and important investigation, as a synergy to successful investigation and prosecution of such cases and also to ensure that every investigation is comprehensibly and conclusively conducted.”
The setting up of the investigation unit by the federal ministry of justice comes after Abubakar Malami, had accused Ibrahim Magu of breaching the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) rules on prosecutions.
The Cable, citing an EFCC source, reported that the office of the minister of justice on Tuesday, August 1, served a letter to the EFCC seeking compliance with the regulation on the prosecution of serious cases.
The letter from the attorney-general accused the EFCC of breaching section 10(1) of the EFCC (Enforcement) regulations 2010.
In the video below; the EFCC organised a march tagged ‘walk against corruption’ in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.