AN APPRAISAL OF THE PROSECUTORIAL POWERS OF THE NIGERIA POLICE IN CRIMINAL CASES

This paper examines the Prosecutorial Powers of the Nigeria Police in Criminal Cases. Though the Police are saddled with the Statutory duties of protecting lives and properties and by so doing imbued with the powers to prosecute Criminal Cases, the Police Act 2020 as well as the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of States tends to restrict such Prosecutorial powers to only Police officers who are Legal Practitioners. The study adopted the doctrinal research methodology whereby primary and secondary documents forming part of related literature and judicial interpretations are used. The findings in the cause of the research reveals that while the Police Act 2020 confers significant prosecutorial authority to the Police, Section 66(1) restrict such prosecutorial powers of the Police to only Police officers who are legal Practitioners which is a challenge that hinders effective prosecution and lack of adherence and strict enforceability of the said section. Other challenges include that most Police Prosecutors lack the basic legal procedure skills amongst others. Following these findings, the research recommends for the need to strictly adhere and ensure the enforceability of the Provision of Section 66(1) of the Police Act 2020 and to also enhance legal training for Police officers in legal procedures as well as improve overall funding and resources for the Nigeria Police Force.