The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Mosoyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) is seeking to discontinue 566 non-active cases being prosecuted by the police from 2015 below.
The AG said the step became imperative following the review of the recommendation of the Committee on Decongestion of Non-Criminal cases at the State High courts and Magistrate Courts, where such prosecution had become impracticable due to delay and its attendant factors, or were appropriate for plea bargain or criminal diversion.
It would be recalled that the Attorney-General had earlier inaugurated the committee on February 21 to review the recommendations of the Arthur Worrey’s Advisory Committee Police Prosecutorial power in Magistrate Courts.
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He also recalled that the Worrey Committee in its communique, recommended that the state government should review the role of Lay Police prosecutors in the criminal justice system of Lagos State.
According to the statement, the Attorney-General, having critically examined the committee’s first phase review and recommendation, had instructed the Directorate of Public Prosecutions to immediately file a notice of discontinuance in respect of 566 non-active cases, at the registry of the State High Court and Magistrate Court.
He has further directed the immediate commencement of the second phase of the exercise.
