9th June, 2015
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division held today that the Nigeria Police Force can prosecute all offences, including those under the National Security and Civil Defence Corps Act, 2007.
In a statement issued by Emmanuel Ojukwu, Nigeria Police Force spokesperson, the ruling was delivered sequel to an appeal in Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) VS Daniel Abuh, where the Federal High Court, held that the Nigeria Police Force lacks the vires to prosecute cases of pipelines vandalism brought under the miscellaneous offences Act, 2004.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, the Police appealed to the Court of Appeal Abuja, which in allowing the appeal held that, pursuant to Section 214, 211, 174 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 23 of the Police Act, a Police officer can prosecute any case whether or not it is laid in his name.