Lagos Bans Police From Criminal Prosecution

Police in Lagos State have been stripped of their prosecution powers, no thanks to a bill signed into law yesterday by Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN).

Appending his signature to the Magistrates’ Court Bill into law, Fashola said henceforth only lawyers can prosecute accused persons.

Besides providing quick access to justice, the Governor said the piece of legislation will benefit the housing sector.

He said the law was established in 1955 “without consideration for the rapid evolution of our societies and values realistic with the current realities.”

“The importance of signing this bill is because it concerns the people and issues affecting their primary need as it relates to housing,” Fashola said.

One of highlights of the law is that it empowers the Magistrate’s Court to seat over cases not more than N10 million yearly rent as against the initial N1 million.

Besides, it ensures that accuse persons are arraigned in court within 24 hours and the Magistrates’ Court are to sit on Saturdays.

Fashola said the government noted that a lot of cases that could have been handled by the lower court were often referred to the High Court, thereby making it hard for people to get access to justice.