Thursday 26 May 2016

THE NATIONAL PROSECUTION CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE (NPCC)



OBJECTIVE
The objective of NPCC are to-
Co-ordinate efficient, effective and result oriented investigation and prosecution of High Profile Criminal Cases in Nigeria;
Ensure early contact and synergy between investigators and the prosecutors of High Profile Criminal Cases in Nigeria;
Manage information to the public on High Profile Criminal Cases;
Ensure strict compliance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 (‘‘the Act).
STRUCTURE
The structure of NPCC is as follows-
Honourable Attorney-General of Federation
The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation is by virtue of Section 174(1) of the 1999 Constitution the Chief Law Officer of the Federation. Therefore, he is responsible for the overall policy formulation and implementation of the entire scheme.
Section 174(1) of the 1999 Constitution provides-
The Attorney-General of the Federation shall have power
To institute and undertake criminal proceedings against any person before any court of law in Nigeria, other than a court martial, in respect of any offence created by or under any Act of the National Assembly;
To take over and continue any such criminal proceedings that may have been instituted by any other authority or person;
To discontinue at any stage before judgment is delivered any such criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by him or any other authority or person.

National Prosecution Co-ordination Committee (NPCC)
The National Prosecution Co-ordination Committee is a body comprising of nineteen (19) members; twelve (12) ex officio members and seven (7) external lawyers experienced in administration of criminal justice in Nigeria and other commonwealth jurisdictions. All members of the Committee shall be paid sitting allowances as may be determined by the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

The members are as follows-
Mr. Taiwo Abidogun (Permanent Secretary / Solicitor General)      - Chairman
Dipo Okpeseyi, SAN                          
                                        Co-Chairman
Professor Bolaji Owansoye (Executive Secretary, PAC)              Vice Chairman
M.S Diri (Director of Public Prosecution)                                           Member
Chukwuma Machukwu, SAN                                                            Member
Chief Okoi Obono-Obla                                                                   Member
Pius Oteh, Esq)                                                                                 Member
Mrs Juliet Ibekaku                                                                             Member
Abiodun Aikomo, Esq                                                                      Member
Kehinde Oginni, Esq                                                                         Member
Mr. Salihu Othman Isah                                                                     Member
Al-Amin Ado Ibrahim                                                                        Member
Nafiu Yakubu, Esq.                                                                            Member
Tunji Oluborode, Esq.               Member
Eric Onokif Ifere, Esq           Member
Mrs. Diane Okoko                                                      Member
Temitope Adebayo, Esq.                                             Member
DIG Abdulrahman Yusuf (Rtd)                                                         Member
Sylvester Imhanobe, Esq.                                            Member /Secretary
     The terms of reference of the NPCC include to-
Advice the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (HAGF) on the exercise of his prosecutorial powers in section 150 and 174 of the 1999 Constitution;
Prepare the policy strategy document for the co-ordination of investigation and prosecution of High Profile Criminal Cases in Nigeria;
Collect the list of High Profile Criminal Cases in Nigeria and assign the cases to prosecution teams;
Scrutinize the proof of evidence and charges in High Profile Criminal Cases in Nigeria before arraignment;
Coordinate investigation activities of High Profile Criminal Cases in Nigeria
Receive and analyse reports from the investigation and prosecution teams engaged to handle High Profile Cases in Nigeria;
Prepare and submit to the HAGF monthly report of High Profile Criminal Cases supervised by the committee;
Serve as liaison between the HAGF and the investigation and prosecution teams engaged to handle High Profile Criminal Cases in Nigeria;
Sensitize the public on the conduct of High Profile Criminal Cases in Nigeria;
Make rules for its proceedings ;
Carry out any other directives issued by the HAGF;
To undertake any other matter incidental to the achievement of the objective of the Committee as approved by the HAGF.

The Committee is a major thrust of the fight against corruption. The Committee shall be inaugurated by His Excellency, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Friday the 27th May 2016 at the VP Conference Room

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