LEGAL & PROSECUTION DEPARTMENT
The Legal Department is a creation of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015
The functions of the Legal and Prosecution Department are spelt out under Section 12 (2) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act thus:
“The Legal Department shall be responsible for;
Prosecuting offenders under this Act,
Supporting the Investigation Department with legal advice and assistance whenever it is required,
Acting as secretariat to the Governing Board,
Conducting such proceedings as may be necessary towards the recovery of any asset or properties forfeited under this Act, and
Performing such other legal duties as the Agency may refer to it from time to time”.
Other functions of the Department include:
Representing the Agency in civil cases instituted against the Agency;
Preparation or vetting of Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), Contractual, Tenancy, and other agreements involving the Agency;
Handling or supervising the perfection of title documents to the Agency’s properties;
Participating in appropriate Ad-hoc Committees and proferring legal opinion where and when necessary, both within and outside the Agency;
Proffering legal opinion generally to the Agency either corporately or to the individual Departments where the need arises;
Provision of resource persons during trainings, workshops, and symposia both within and outside the Agency.
Liaising with the office of the Attorney General of the Federation in conducting legal proceedings with respect to Mutual Legal Assistance matters for the extradition or prosecution of offenders under the Act
STRUCTURE OF THE DEPARTMENT
The Department is headed by a Director who coordinates the activities of the Department. The Director is assisted by Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors and other legal officers at the Headquarters of the Agency.
There are other legal officers who are spread across the Zonal Commands, State Commands and liaison offices who prosecute cases in their various legal Units on behalf of the Agency.
JURISDICTION
The Department undertakes prosecution of offenders under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Adminstratioin Act, 2015, in the High Courts of the various States and also at the Federal High Courts across Nigeria. The department can also undertake prosecutions with respect to labour matters at the National Industrial Courts which are also across the Federation.
CONTACT PERSON: IJEOMA MARY AMUGO ESQ.
PHONE NO: +234 8120638454
EMAIL: ijamugo@naptip.gov.ng