Niger State Justice Commissioner Clarifies Police Prosecutor Withdrawal and Future Measures
By Yahaya Zakka Minna.
The Commissioner for Justice in Niger State, Barr. Nasiru Mu’azu, has explained the recent withdrawal of police prosecutors who are not lawyers from prosecution in Magistrates’ and Shariah Courts.He emphasized that the action complies with existing laws and was not unexpected.
In a press briefing at the office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Minna, Barr. Nasiru Mu’azu noted that the Chief Judge of Niger state had already issued a directive on this matter about six months earlier, after consultation with relevant stakeholders In the state.
He warned that non-lawyer police officers should henceforth stop their prosecutorial duties.
Barr. Nasiru stated that the Ministry of Justice had requested for extra time until December 2025 to prepare for the transition, and that the current enforcement in January 2026 adheres to legal requirements.
“The Chief Judge of Niger state, Justice Halima Abdulmalik is not introducing new legislation; rather, we are enforcing the Administration of Criminal Justice Law and the Police Act 2020, which reserve prosecution to qualified legal practitioners,” he explained.
Barr. Nasiru Mu’azu further revealed that the Ministry has started making arrangements to fill the gap caused by the withdrawal of non-lawyer prosecutors. Plans include assigning existing lawyers to magistrate courts in major towns such as Minna, Bida, Kontagora, and Suleja.
He further disclosed that plans are underway by the state government to recruit additional fifty qualified lawyers that would bridge the gap in the disengagement of the none lawyers police prosecutors.
He then. clarified that qualified lawyers within the police force who have been called to the Bar remain eligible to prosecute cases under the directive.
