Withdrawal of Non-Lawyer Police Prosecutor in Niger State Threatens Justice System, Warns NBA

BY admin
January 28, 2026
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The Minna branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned of a looming crisis in Niger State’s justice system.

This follows a directive from Chief Judge Halima Abdulmalik enforcing laws that prohibit non-lawyers from prosecuting cases in Magistrate and Sharia Courts.

NBA Chairman Isyaku Barau, expressed concern that the immediate removal of police prosecutors has created a massive vacuum. He noted that a severe shortage of qualified lawyers within the police and the Ministry of Justice will lead to significant delays for thousands of pending cases.

Attorney General Nasir Mua’zu defended the move as a necessary enforcement of the Police Act 2020. While acknowledging the logistical strain of covering over 200 courts, he maintained that the transition was previously communicated to stakeholders to allow for adequate preparation.

Highlighting the difficulty of the transition, Mua’zu stated: “These laws may seem harsh now, but in the end, they will improve the administration of criminal justice in Niger State. Before now, the police were prosecuting cases in more than 200 courts across the state… Suddenly withdrawing all of them poses a major challenge for the ministry.”

The NBA is now urging the state government to intervene and provide more resources to manage the transition. They warned that without a swift solution, the rights of defendants awaiting trial will be compromised by indefinite delays in the judicial process.