The Federal Capital Territory Executive Committee, FCT EXCO, has approved the establishment of a new Department of Investigation and Prosecution to be situated in the Legal Services Secretariat.
This is part of its efforts towards strengthening law enforcement and compliance in the Territory.
The creation of the new Department is one of the decisions reached in its 18th meeting held on Monday in Abuja.
The Committee stated that “the new Department is expected to carry out investigations in respect of forgery of Land documents, fraudulent transactions on Land, abuse of office, allegations of bribery, general corrupt practices, security breaches and other cases of infractions within the FCTA as the need arises in liaison with relevant Law Enforcement Agencies.”
It further stated that it will carry out investigations of petitions /requests from individuals, groups of persons, corporate bodies, and Law Enforcement Agencies among others.
According to EXCO, the Department is to keep records and data of investigated cases and monitor those still under investigation by Law Enforcement and Security Agencies in the FCTA.
It is also expected to assist and advise the Law Enforcement and Security Agencies in their investigations on matters affecting the FCTA as well as carry out the training of personnel of the Department in conjunction with the various Law Enforcement and Security Agencies.
The EXCO, therefore, directed the new Department to initiate criminal and quasi-criminal proceedings on all matters affecting the FCT Administration after the consent /fiat of the Attorney General of the Federation has been sought and obtained.
The EXCO meeting, presided over by the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Bello, was attended by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Chief of Staff to the Minister, Mandate Secretaries, some SSA and Directors of the FCTA.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
