FG saves N4.5trillion from prosecutions

* says 255 Boko Haram terrorists convicted, 737
discharged

Between 2015 and now, the Ministry of Justice has saved the
Federal Government about N4.5 trillion from prosecuting civil and
criminal cases.

The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation,
Abubakar Malami, said this on Wednesday while addressing State
House reporters after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired
by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Malami, who said he presented a two-year scorecard of his
ministry to the council, stated: “Fundamentally arising from the
cases that were conducted by the Federal Ministry of Justice, the
ministry has succeeded in saving the government around N4.5
trillion relating to the claims that were presented in respect of
these cases which were, indeed, conducted and concluded.”

The minister put the total number of convictions in the second
phase trail of Boko Haram terrorists at Kainji at 255 and those
discharged, 737.
He noted that the government had put in place, a committee saddled
with the responsibilities of formulating policies and strategies
that would ease off congestion of prisons.

The attorney-general stated that over 70 percent of the inmates
were awaiting trials, saying “there are sizeable numbers that
couldn’t afford to pay limited fines that have been imposed on them
arriving from their convictions.

“There are those awaiting trials that have never seen the court
room for over five years and above, and indeed, there are multiple
legislations that are before the National Assembly that are
intended to support the decongestion of prison formation
process.”

The minister said he also informed the council about the ongoing
prosecution of Boko Haram cases.

“We presented a position as to the number of cases that were
prosecuted, number of convictions that were procured and the number
of discharges that were made relating to the cases and then made a
presentation as to the road maps for the continuation of the
process.

“There were other presentations that were made particularly as
it relates to plea bargain. There are a lot of pending criminal
cases in respect of which the accused persons standing trials made
offers for plea bargain. Again, there are high profile cases that
we made our score card and gave an insight as to their respective
positions.

“A presentation was made relating to national prosecution team
as it relates to the cases they are expected to prosecute,” the
minister added.

* says 255 Boko Haram terrorists convicted, 737
discharged

Between 2015 and now, the Ministry of Justice has saved the
Federal Government about N4.5 trillion from prosecuting civil and
criminal cases.

The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation,
Abubakar Malami, said this on Wednesday while addressing State
House reporters after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired
by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Malami, who said he presented a two-year scorecard of his
ministry to the council, stated: “Fundamentally arising from the
cases that were conducted by the Federal Ministry of Justice, the
ministry has succeeded in saving the government around N4.5
trillion relating to the claims that were presented in respect of
these cases which were, indeed, conducted and concluded.”

The minister put the total number of convictions in the second
phase trail of Boko Haram terrorists at Kainji at 255 and those
discharged, 737.
He noted that the government had put in place, a committee saddled
with the responsibilities of formulating policies and strategies
that would ease off congestion of prisons.

The attorney-general stated that over 70 percent of the inmates
were awaiting trials, saying “there are sizeable numbers that
couldn’t afford to pay limited fines that have been imposed on them
arriving from their convictions.

“There are those awaiting trials that have never seen the court
room for over five years and above, and indeed, there are multiple
legislations that are before the National Assembly that are
intended to support the decongestion of prison formation
process.”

The minister said he also informed the council about the ongoing
prosecution of Boko Haram cases.

“We presented a position as to the number of cases that were
prosecuted, number of convictions that were procured and the number
of discharges that were made relating to the cases and then made a
presentation as to the road maps for the continuation of the
process.

“There were other presentations that were made particularly as
it relates to plea bargain. There are a lot of pending criminal
cases in respect of which the accused persons standing trials made
offers for plea bargain. Again, there are high profile cases that
we made our score card and gave an insight as to their respective
positions.

“A presentation was made relating to national prosecution team
as it relates to the cases they are expected to prosecute,” the
minister added.