Committee Indicts Police Of Poor Prosecution At Magistrate Courts, 15,000 Cases Badly Managed In Lagos

Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey Esq led advisory committee has lamented that over 15000 cases are pending in the Magistrate courts due to unprofessional practices of some prosecutors.

The committee uncovered this during the review on police prosecution of criminal matters in Magistrate courts and submitted its report.

Recall that some non-governmental organisations called on the state government to challenge the right of the police in prosecuting criminal cases at Magistrate courts and this led to the inauguration of the advisory committee in January by Lagos State Attorney-General/ Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo.

The legal advisory committee has on Tuesday presented the report of its review on police prosecution of criminal matters in Magistrate courts.

Receiving the report, Onigbanjo said the outcome of the committee’s review will be analyzed and announced to the general public at due time.

Mr. Onigbanjo disclosed that the advisory committee was given a one month ultimatum to review the Police Prosecution power and provide recommendations accordingly.

The attorney-general commended the committee’s timely intervention and selfless service to actualize the set goals of the review.

He stated that the recommendations presented by the committee will aid the state government plan to a bring substantial change to the administration of justice in Lagos State.

During the presentation of the report, chairman of the advisory committee,, Arthur-Worrey Esq applauded the Attorney-General’s support through the course of the review and selection of the committee members who aided the successful review.

Arthur-Worrey said the committee reviewed the competence of the non-lawyers in the prosecution of criminal cases in Magistrate courts.

He disclosed that stakeholders involved in prosecution matters were also engaged in the review to achieve a balance and accurate report.

The Seven member Advisory Committee include:

Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey – Chairman

Mr. Norrison Quakers, SAN – Member

Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey (Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice) – Member

Mr. Yhaqub Oshoala (Director, Public Prosecutions) – Member

DSP- Yetunde Cardoso, O/C Legal Dept, Criminal Investigation, Yaba, Lagos. – Member

Mr. Bayo Akinlade, NBA Ikorodu Chairman- Member

Mrs. Rukayat Owolabi – Member

Mrs. Arinola Momoh-Ayokanmbi – Secretary

It would be recalled that the committee as part of its engagement with all spectrum of society in the State, about three weeks ago held a Public Stakeholders Meeting at Ikeja, where senior members of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, which included Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN, and others, made important contributions and recommendations to the committee.

Other stakeholders at the meeting included representatives of the State Judiciary, Police, Legal Aid Association and local government branches of the NBA.

Culled from Case file