The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, held, in a ruling yesterday, that the Nigeria Police Force can prosecute all offences, including those under the National Security and Civil Defence Corps Act, 2007.
The ruling was handed down in an appeal in the case: Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) VS Daniel Abuh, where the Federal High Court, held that the Nigeria Police Force lacks the powers to prosecute cases of pipelines vandalism brought under the miscellaneous offences Act, 2004.
Dissatisfied with the Federal High Court ruling, the Police appealed to the Court of Appeal Abuja, which, in allowing the appeal, held that, pursuant to Section 214, 211, 174 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 23 of the Police Act, the Police can prosecute any case whether or not it is laid in its name.