Time Limit For Issuance Of Legal Advice In Criminal Cases By DPP Will No Longer Exceed 2 Weeks — Moyosore Onignanjo, AG, Lagos

As Lagos State is about to begin a new Legal year, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the state, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo has reiterated that the timeline for the issuance of Legal Advice in criminal cases by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will no longer exceed two weeks from the receipt of a duplicate case file from the Police.

He stated this in his office at the Secretariat Alausa, Ikeja while reacting to complaints by members of the public that Legal Advice to the Nigeria Police Force on Criminal Matters are unduly delayed by the DOP’s office, Ministry of Justice before issuance.

The Commissioner noted that, “It is necessary to inform the general public that the DPP has policies in place for ensuring speeding issuance of well-considered Legal Advice.” He further buttressed that, “However, in exceptional cases where the case is complex, Legal Advice are issued within three weeks.”

Onigbanjo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria revealed that, in a situation whereby the Police forwarded the Duplicate case file but Counsel make a request for further information or investigation, the time line for delivery of the Legal Advice starts to run when the additional information is received.

He said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the time lines are strictly adhered to by the DPP’s office.”

Onigbanjo stressed that in the event that any member of the public has a case in which there is non-adherence to the timeliness already stated, complaints should be forwarded to the following:

i. Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Email: mj@onigbanjo.com, Telephone: 08033243869
ii. Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary: Email: tsbkadija@yahoo.com, Telephone: 08023034729.

“On this note, the general public are therefore assured that such matters will be taken up and resolved accordingly.” Stated the Commissioner.

Culled from Thegavel