Public Prosecution

The Department of Public Prosecution is one of the main Stream Departments in the Federal Ministry of Justice. Its primary functions include:
i. Proffering Legal Advice or Opinion to the Nigerian Police and other Law Enforcement Agencies, Ministries and Extra-Ministerial Departments on criminal matters and letters repertories and extradition);
ii. Public prosecution of accused person in all court of competent jurisdiction including the High Court, Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court within and outside the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja;
iii. Defending criminal action in courts of competent jurisdiction. on behalf of Honorable Attorney General of the Federation such as entering Nolle-prosequi authorized, by the Honorable’ Attorney General of the Federation, Bail matters, Human Rights enforcement
actions etc., Trafficking in minors and young women from Nigeria for the purpose of sexual exploitation;
iv. Presently the Department is headed by a Director who is supported by competent Lawyers and effective support staff.
v. By virtue of section 174 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as (amended) which vests powers on the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation to institute, take over, continue or discontinue with matters in Nigerian Courts except Court Martial. The Department of Public Prosecutions performs these functions on behalf of the HAGF.
vi. Department of Public Prosecution handles petitions forwarded to the HAGF for intervention as Chief Law officers of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
vii. The department of Public Prosecution provides legal advisory services to MDAs and supervises External Prosecutors who are prosecuting criminal cases in various courts in the country.
viii. Establishment of Complex Case Group (CCG) by the Assistance of the British Council in 2003;
ix. Establishment of National Maritime Prosecution Team in the Department through UNODC intervention in conjunction with the United Kingdom. A desk officer is assigned to train the team in person of Mr. Warren F., a Canadian by origin. 

Mission

‘To effectively enhance performance and productivity for the wellbeing of the public and safeguard the existence of public security through effective
performance of its constitutional duty’. 

Vision

To give quality service through quick disposal of cases by employing diligence’. 

Service Delivery

i. Proffering legal Advice on Criminal matters; Undertaking of public prosecution of accused Person;
ii. Defending criminal action in courts of competent jurisdiction;
iii. Prompt and courteous handling of cases; Handling of extradition matters;
iv. Overseeing implementation of mutual legal assistance, agreement on criminal matters;
v. Assisting and encouraging the criminal law jurisprudence in intellectual circles;
vi. Overseeing and coordinating the work of other statutory prosecuting agencies