UK to assist Nigeria in prosecution of cases
Nigeria intends to explore avenues to tap from the expertise of the British government in the prosecution of complex technical cases in the country, especially those bordering on politically exposed people, terrorism, money laundering, human trafficking and other form of organised crimes.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN stated this when he received a delegation of legal experts from the United Kingdom’s Crown Prosecution Service who visited Nigeria for an introductory meeting with him in Abuja last Thursday.
Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Publicity, Comrade Salihu Othman Isah in a press statement hinted that the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Taiwo Abidogun received the delegation on behalf of the Minister.
He disclosed that the nation would take advantage of the opportunity offered by the UK government to collaborate on the justice sector, with a view to train our prosecutors for better service delivery.
Abidogun assured the delegation led by Mr. Duncan Moass, Deputy Director, International Development, Crown Prosecution Service to report back to the AGF and Minister of Justice the intentions of the British Government for Nigeria.
Speaking earlier, Moass informed that the UK government through the Crown Prosecution Service intends to assist Nigeria in providing technical expertise in complex cases with a view to meet international best practices.
He said the partnership would assist in tracking terrorism, money laundering and other form of organised crimes, added that institutions like the EFCC, ICPC NDLEA and NAPTIP among others are expected to benefit from the collaboration.
According to him, a British-born Nigerian, Mr. Ayo Awoyungbo who is a leading prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service would relocate to Lagos, Nigeria to spearhead the collaboration.
Moass led the delegation comprising Mr. Ayo Awoyungbo and Mrs. Ekanem Bassey, the Governance Adviser of the Department for International Development (DFID).
They were received by the Mr. Abidogun, Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla, Special Adviser, Prosecution to the AGF/Minister of Justice and Comrade Salihu Othman Isah, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the AGF/Minister of Justice as well as a representative of Mr. Mohammed Saidu Diri, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation.
