Prison congestion worries State AGs

 The Body of Attorneys-General has expressed its worry about congestion in prisons, urging attorneys-general of states to accelerate prosecution of offenders.  In a communiqué at the end of their meeting in Abuja, recently, the body urged its members to facilitate release of minor offenders in the exercise of the governor’s prerogative powers of mercy and […]

 The Body of Attorneys-General has expressed its worry about congestion in prisons, urging attorneys-general of states to accelerate prosecution of offenders.
 In a communiqué at the end of their meeting in Abuja, recently, the body urged its members to facilitate release of minor offenders in the exercise of the governor’s prerogative powers of mercy and their constitutional powers.
 The members of the body agreed to continue working together, regardless of their political affiliations, to deepen democracy and promote national development.
The members unanimously adopted the national policy on prosecution and code of conduct for prosecutors and guidelines for prosecutors.
It commended the decision of the attorney-general of the federation to grant a general fiat to his states’ counterparts to prosecute federal offences on his behalf.
 The body urged the A-GF to publish the said fiat by way of legal notice and be duly gazetted.
 It said that Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which deals with the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy should be made justiciable to avail the citizens of the advantages afforded by the Constitution and curb corruption.