MANDATES AND STATUTORY FUNCTIONS OF THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

The Federal Ministry of Justice is a key government Ministry that facilitates a fair, impartial, and efficient administration of Justice in the country, in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered). The Ministry is led by the Attorney-General of the Federation & Minister of Justice, and assisted by the Solicitor-General of the Federation & Permanent Secretary.

The Ministry also provides a broad spectrum of needs‐based legal and ancillary services to various government Ministries, agencies, parastatals, citizens and residents alike, with the objective of enhancing access to justice, adherence to the rule of law, and facilitating a responsive legal system that promotes public confidence in the administration of justice,

The Ministry works in collaboration with other justice sector stakeholders, and coordinates interventions across the justice value chain to improve efficiencies in the justice system, consistent with the ideals of democracy.

The mandates, powers, and duties of the Ministry, which are inherent in the Offices of the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Solicitor-General of the Federation, are defined and derived from the Constitution, numerous statutory provisions, and the Common Law. These mandates are also exercised through officers working in different departments and agencies of the FGN and with zonal officers deployed to the geo-political zones of the country. The Ministry is comprised of 17 departments, 9 units and 2 statutory Committees. The Ministry also oversights a number of allied justice sector institutions and parastatals.

General mandates of the Ministry

The general mandates of the Ministry include:

• the representation the Federal Government of Nigeria in all legal matters;

• the provision of legal advisory services, opinions and ancillary services to the President and his Cabinet, as well as the heads of the executive departments and agencies of the government;

• the representation or the supervision of the representation of the Federal Government of Nigeria in legal proceedings, foreign and domestic, in which the Government of Nigeria is a party or has an interest;

• ensuring access to justice for all persons through observance of the rule of law and due process;

• the performance or the supervision of the performance of other duties and mandates specifically required by statute or an Executive Order;

• interfacing between the Executive and Judicial arms of Government;

• interfacing between the Executive and Legislative arms of government through the articulation and translation of Government policies into legislation;

• advising government on its treaty obligations and international relations;

• the performance of ministerial oversight on allied justice sector institutions; and

• sustenance of a healthy relationship between all arms and tiers of government.

The Ministry implements its mandates through its specialised Departments and Units as follows:

A.    Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP)

The DPP is a core department in the Ministry responsible for:

• proffering legal advice in criminal matters to the Federal Government and its law enforcement institutions;

• prosecution of criminal cases in all courts on behalf of the Federal Government;

• collaborating with the Office of National Security Adviser, the military and other critical security agencies in the formulation of policies and implementation of a comprehensive Counter Strategy in the prevention, detection, apprehension and prosecution of complex and specialised crimes like terrorism, insurgency, espionage, sabotage of critical infrastructures, cybercrimes, transborder crimes, drug and narcotic offences, money laundering, financial crimes, trafficking in persons, etc.; and

• representation of the Ministry at meetings of Boards of Organizations related to Criminal Justice.

B.    Department of Civil Litigation and Public Law (DCLPL)

The DCLPL plays a critical role in protecting the interest of the Federal Government and in reducing government contingent liabilities by:

• providing legal representation in all civil matters involving the Federal Government before the Courts, Tribunals, Arbitration Panels etc, whether within or outside Nigeria, including actions on breach of contract, enforcement of fundamental rights, arbitration, enforcement of judgment, etc.;

• rendering legal advice and opinions in civil matters to all Federal Government Ministries, Departments, Parastatals and Agencies;

• liaising with all legal units of MDAs in the handling of civil matters affecting the Federal Government;

• serving as the Secretariat of the International Committee on Judgment Debt Verifications;

• handling matters relating to garnishee proceedings against assets of the Federal Government and proffering opinion on judgment debts against the government; and

• coordinates sundry activities of the zonal offices of the Ministry.

C.    Department of Legal Drafting (DLD)

The DLD is charged with the responsibility of articulating and translating Government policies into draft legislations. It provides the following services:

• rendering advice on Legislative matters and interpretation of statutes;

• drafting and vetting of Executive Bills for presentation by Mr. President to the National Assembly;

• drafting of Bills for the domestication of International Conventions and Treaties to which Nigeria is a party;

• drafting of Statutory Instruments including Regulations, Orders and Government Notices;

• processing and ensuring the publication of Statutory Instruments in the Federal Gazette and the publication of instruments of Judicial Officers appointed to the Bench of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, the Federal and State High Courts, and Senior Advocates of Nigeria; and

• liaises with the Legislative Department of the National Assembly on matters relating to the Executive Bills before the National Assembly.

D.  Department of International and Comparative Law (ICL)

The ICL plays a critical role in the handling of legal aspects of the Federal Government relations with other countries of the world and international development partners. The Department works in collaboration with MDAs, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide the following services:

• advising government on its Treaty obligations in international relations with foreign nations and other entities, and ensuring the observance of the obligations through the monitoring, preparation and collation of periodic reports of such obligation in relation to international organizations;
• participate in the negotiation of bilateral and multilateral agreements between Nigeria and other countries;
•  vetting of draft international agreements proposed between Nigeria and other countries;
• rendering advice on the criteria for lending support to candidates for various international positions;
• representing the Ministry in meetings and conferences of the United Nations, its Organs, Agencies as well as other International Bodies to which Nigeria is a member;
• preparation of the Instruments of Ratification, Accession, Denunciation, Treaties, Protocols and Conventions to which Nigeria is signatory;
• ensuring that all Treaties entered into by Nigeria are registered and deposited in the Ministry in accordance with sections 4 and 5 of the Treaties (Making Procedure) Act;
• responding to communications from the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) and the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) on allegations of violation of Human Rights;
• handles requests for legal assistance from various Embassies and the International Community;
• coordinates defense of cases involving Nigeria before the International Court of Justice, (ICJ), ECOWAS Community Court, etc.; and
• processing of communications of foreign Court processes and cooperating in the processes leading to the enforcement of foreign judgments.

E.    Department of International Criminal Justice Cooperation (DICJC)

The DICJC handles emerging issues relating to international cooperation in criminal matters between Nigeria and other countries. Its mandates include:

• handling and overseeing cases and matters involving international Criminal justice, international judicial cooperation in criminal matters within the Central Authority Unit, Transnational Organised crimes, Wildlife Trafficking, Financial crimes/Genocide/ Terrorism Financing, Complex Casework Group and all matters related to Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT);

• bilateral and multilateral collaboration with other countries on policy and legal issues relating to the prevention, investigation, prosecution and suppression of transnational crimes;

• negotiating and vetting international cooperation agreements or Memorandum of Understanding with other countries in criminal matters;

• rendering legal advice on issues of international criminal justice to all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial, Departments, Agencies and Nigeria’s Overseas Missions to promote international understanding between Nigeria and other nations;

• proffering legal opinions and handles the request for extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance to other countries and vice versa;

• coordinating the activities of the stakeholders responsible for combating Human Trafficking and Trans-National Organized Crime;

• prosecuting, monitoring and supervising cases emanating from other jurisdictions, including the migration and transfer of sentenced persons; and

• coordinating and monitoring of prosecutors, magistrates, judges posted abroad, as well as coordinate and supervise the cases involving Nigerians in foreign countries.

F.    Solicitors Department

The Solicitors’ Department is a non-litigation Department charged with the responsibility for:

• vetting of Contract Agreements from Ministries and extra ministerial agencies on behalf of the Federal Government;

• proffering legal advice to Federal Government MDAs, particularly on contractual and transactional matters;

•  providing legal support services during loan negotiations and project financing meetings;

• reviewing and treating petitions involving MDAs;

• attending negotiation and reconciliatory meetings involving the Federal Government;

• vetting applications for the consent of the Attorney-General of the Federation for the registration of Companies Limited by Guarantee; and

• acting as a Secretariat to the Body of Benchers of Nigeria and the Disciplinary Committee.

G.    Citizens’ Rights Department

The primary function of the Citizens’ Rights Department is the protection of the rights of aggrieved citizens, consistent with constitutional and statutory prescriptions and the ideals of democratic governance. In furtherance of these objectives, the Citizens’ Rights Department:

• provides access to justice platforms and opportunities that enable citizens exercise their constitutional and statutory rights;

• adopts Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms in handling petitions received from aggrieved citizens on matters pertaining to employer/employee disputes, domestic violence, rights of widows, inheritance disputes, and enforcement of court judgments against governmental entities;

•  carry out advocacy campaigns aimed at protecting the rights of citizens in collaboration with other relevant MDAs, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs); and

• Organize sensitization workshops to reorient the public on access to justice and human rights matters.

H.    Criminal Justice Administration and Reforms Department

The Criminal Justice Administration and Reforms Department:

• monitor, evaluate and promote the objectives set out in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015;

•  develop guidelines, practice directions and policies on Criminal Justice Reforms; and

• conduct criminal law research in line with international best practices.

I.     Law Reporting and Publication Department

The responsibilities of the Law Reporting and Publication Department of the Ministry include:

• the production and publication of Justice Journals, All Nigeria Law Reports, specialised law reports and other notable decisions of our superior courts of records;

•  work in collaboration with other departments in the Ministry in the publication of departmental Standard Operating Procedures and intellectual works of the Ministry; and

• sales of all publications by the Ministry.

J.     Department of Civil Appeals (DCA)

The Department of Civil Appeals was carved out from the Department of Civil Litigation and Public Law in June, 2021 as part of the measures to promote specialist knowledge and advocacy in the practice of civil appeals in the Ministry, with the ultimate objective of overturning unfavourable decisions of Courts against the Federal Government and its MDAs. The creation of the DCA became necessary given the increasing volume of litigations against the Federal Government and the consequential increase in the liabilities of the Federal Government (arising from numerous judgement debts) vis-à-vis the high cost of hiring external Solicitors in the handling of Appeal matters for the Government. Its responsibilities include:

• handling or coordinating the defence or prosecution of all appeals involving the Federal Government before the Courts;

• ensuring (in collaboration with the DCLPL) a seamless synergy in the prosecution of civil cases from the trial stage to the appeal stage, and the handling of the garnishee and other post-judgment enforcement proceedings against the Federal Government and its agencies; and

• offering specialised legal advisory services.

K.    Department of Planning, Research and Statistics (DPRS)

The Department of Planning, Research and Statistics is one of the core departments of the Ministry with responsibilities to:

• develop the Sector Strategic Plan of the Ministry in line with extant National Development Plan (NDP) and other strategic policies, programmes, and reform initiatives of the Federal Government;

• monitor and evaluate the implementation of the programmes, processes, and projects of the Ministry in relation to the NDP and other strategic policies and programmes of the Federal Government;

•   collate and produce the Annual Reports of the Ministry and its parastatals and agencies;

• provide a digital data Centre of analyzed and evidence-based data/information for the Ministry;

• develop and implement Departmental Operational Plan in conformity with the Ministry’s Strategic Plan;

• compile, analyze, interpret and disseminate statistical information’s of the Ministry, its parastatals and Agencies in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics;

• planning of various Retreats of the Ministry and the evaluation of the pre and post Retreat/workshop events of the Ministry to ensure value addition; and

• provide in-house ICT maintenance services and related infrastructure of the Ministry, including content management and maintenance of the Ministry’s website and the automation of processes, systems and structures in the Ministry for effective service delivery.

L.     Department of Human Resource Management

The Department of Human Resource Management is one of the common services Departments of the Ministry. Its responsibilities include:

• providing essential support services and effective mechanisms for staff development, posting, welfare, promotion and discipline, etc.;

• human resource planning in terms of forecasting workforce needs;

• fostering a positive work culture within the Ministry and maintaining positive relationships between staff and management by addressing concerns and resolving workplace conflicts; and

• evaluating staff performance against set goals and providing feedback to improve staff efficiency, effectiveness, and optimal service delivery.

M.   Finance and Accounts Department

The Department of Finance and Accounts is one of the common services departments of the Ministry. It is made up of the Accounts and Budget divisions and its duties include:

• collection and disbursement of all public funds of the Ministry, and the rendering of relevant returns and remittances to the appropriate authorities;

• effective custody of all assets and liabilities of the Ministry;

• maintenance of the financial records of the Ministry;

• coordination and preparation of budget estimates for the Ministry and its Parastatals; and

• budget monitoring and evaluation.

N.  General Services Department

The General Service Department is one of the departments created to strengthen service delivery, promote a culture of maintenance, and provide a conducive and secure working environment. Its functions include:

• managing and maintaining the Ministry’s:

• infrastructure,
• store and ordering supplies and equipment, as well as processing payments for utility bills,
• transportation system, including registering and documenting vehicles, and facilitating official transportation,
• utility services, including electricity, water, telephone;
• security matters for the Ministry; and

• generally, give specialised technical/management support services to all Departments.

O.    Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department (RC&SID)

The Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department is created following the Introduction of the Federal Civil Service Strategy Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2017-2020). The Department has two Units: Servicom and Reform, with specific goals of driving reforms and service delivery in the Ministry. It is charged with the responsibility of:

• serving as the focal point for driving change, reform, and innovation;

• identifying gaps in service delivery and driving change, innovation, and improvement in the services offered by the Ministry and its parastatals;

• monitoring the implementation of the strategic goals of the Ministry and measuring their impact on outcomes by ensuring that services are delivered efficiently and effectively to the public; and

• coordinating and sustaining all reform initiatives, while ensuring that services in the Ministry are aligned with broader agenda of the Federal Government.

P.    Library Services Department

The Library Services Department provides sundry informational and educational services to support the Ministry in the implementation of its mandates. Its responsibilities include:

• acquiring and processing informational resources that are relevant to the work of the Ministry;

• preserve and provide storage for the acquired information resources in a secure environment;

• provides access to informational materials (physical and electronic) that are required for legal research, policy development and implementation;

• provides technical support for library services, including indexing and abstracting services, compilation of annotated bibliographies on various subjects, and archival of special resource materials;

• provides library referral services (locally and international) in relation to legal research materials; and

• ensures efficient management of all library resources and personnel for service delivery.

Q.    Procurement Department

The Procurement department of the Ministry generally acts as the central point for all procurement activities related to work and needs of the Ministry. Its responsibilities include:

• acquiring necessary supplies, equipment, services, and infrastructural needs of the Ministry;

• ensuring cost-effectiveness and compliance with procurement regulations through market research and vendor selection;

• tendering and contract management:

• ensuring that procured goods and services meet established quality standards and specifications; and

• generating reports on procurement activities, including cost analysis and savings achieved.

UNITS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

 A.   Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV)

The Ministry acts as the focal Office and Secretariat of the Inter-ministerial Management Committee on SGBV. The functions of the Unit encompass:

• provision of access to justice for SGBV victims/survivors through prosecution of cases, legal counselling, mediation, facilitation of settlement agreement and provision of all requisite legal services to victims of SGBV;

• capacity building and training of Criminal Justice Actors handling SGBV cases;

• provision and operation of a prosecution hub comprising all relevant MDA investigating and prosecuting SGBV cases;

• collation and processing of SGBV data for record, reporting, monitoring and evaluation purposes; and

• sensitisation and advocacy for the review, enactment and implementation of SGBV Laws at all levels of governance.

B.     Asset Recovery and Management Unit (ARMU):

The Asset Recovery and Management Unit was established in November 2017 to:

• facilitate recovery of assets arising from proceeds and instrumentalities of crime, within and outside the country;

• management and disposal of recovered assets; (international/local); and

• coordinating the efficient implementation of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act 2022 (POCA) alongside other Relevant Organizations.

• Freedom of Information Unit (FOI Unit)

The FOI Unit was created following the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act No. 4 of 2011. The Act established the right of any person to access or request information which is in the custody or possession of any public official, agency or institution, subject to constitutional and other statutory exemptions. The FOI Unit performs two levels of functions within the Ministry of Justice, namely:

• As a Unit in the Ministry, its responsibilities include:
• receiving FOI requests and accepting applications from individuals seeking information from the Ministry, and ensuring that proper documentation and details are provided,

• reviewing and assessing whether the requested information falls within the scope of the FOI Act, identifying any potential exemptions based on privacy concerns or national security,

• responding to FOI request within stipulated timeframes, including explanations for any denied information, and

• keeping records of all FOI requests, responses, and related correspondence to ensure proper accountability;

• As the focal Office responsible for implementing the statutory duties of the Attorney-General of the Federation under the FOI Act, its responsibilities include:
  • coordinate the implementation of FOI across public institutions,

• render legal advice on FOI matters by acting as an ombudsman between an FOI requester and a public institution,

• collate, analyse and submit FOI Annual compliance report of all public institutions to the National Assembly,

• monitoring and compliance in line with the requirements of the law, and

• public awareness campaigns on FOI matters.

D.    Internal Audit

The Internal Audit Unit of the Ministry is responsible for:

• independently evaluating the effectiveness of internal control systems of the Ministry;

• ensuring financial integrity and compliance with financial regulations;

• safeguarding assets through detailed audit of the accounts and records and the examination of the systems and procedures in place;

•  detecting fraud or potential fraud; and

• recommending actionable improvements to the accounting officer of the Ministry.

E.    Information and Public Relations:

The Information and Public Relations unit of the Ministry is generally responsible for managing the public image of the Ministry. Its functions include:

• disseminating information about the policies, programmes, and other activities and significant events of the Ministry by issuing press releases and statements regarding such activities;
• managing relationships with media outlets to effectively communicate information on the activities of the Ministry to the public;
• public Outreach and image management, and actively monitoring media coverage and public perception of the Ministry and addressing negative publicity against the Ministry: and
• coverage of programmes of the Ministry, managing and facilitating internal communication within the Ministry to ensure staff are informed about important updates and policies.

F.    Stock Verification Unit

The Stock Verification Unit of the Ministry works in collaboration with the Procurement Unit to:

• ensure comprehensive verification of stocks and purchases of the Ministry;

• physically checking and verifying the quantity and condition of supplies and equipment in the Ministry compared against documented inventory records;

• ensure proper inventory management, preventing stock discrepancies, wastage, and misuse of supplies made to the Ministry;

•  investigating any discrepancies found during stock checks, and identifying potential causes like theft, mismanagement, or inaccurate record-keeping; and

• preparing detailed reports to the Accounting Officer on stock verification findings, including discrepancies, damaged items, and required corrective measures.

G.    Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU)

        The Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit is responsible for:

• monitoring, reporting and preventing corruption in the Ministry through system study and review;

• sensitisation and enlightenment of the Ministry staff against corrupt practices and its incidents;

• monitoring of budget implementation, purchases, and other workplace potential corrupt practices; and

• promoting ethical conducts and compliance with ethical codes in the Ministry.

H.    Servicom Unit

In keeping with the Servicom objectives and principles, the Servicom Unit of the Ministry works to:

• promotes best practices in service delivery and quality assurance to ensure citizens’ satisfaction with the services offered by the Ministry;

• establish complaints procedure and redress mechanism for citizens in relation to the services offered by the Ministry;

• develop service improvement plans and charters for compliance by the staff of the Ministry; and

• monitors service points to ensure quality service delivery.

I.     Protocol Unit

The Protocol Unit of the Ministry is responsible for arranging travels, managing special events, handling consular duties, procuring travel documents for staff, renewing international passports for staff, and a wide range of sundry scheduling responsibilities that may be assigned from time to time.

J.     Federal Justice Sector Reform Coordinating Committee (FJSRCC)

The FJSRCC was established to provide a collaborative platform that will enhance the coordination of the Federal and State justice sector reform efforts, which aim to address the various challenges militating against Nigeria’s criminal justice system. The functions of the FJSRCC are to:

• coordinate efforts to improve the justice sector in line with the National Justice Policy and constitutional provisions on human rights;

• support efforts to improve the justice sector through innovation;

• improve the delivery of justice services across key actors and platforms at Federal and State levels; and

• work with stakeholders, government agencies, civil society, and the international community to enhance adherence to the rule of law, achieve the aims of justice and national development.

K.    Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC)

The ACJMC is a statutory Committee established pursuant to the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act Cap. A3, LFN, 2004 (ACJA). It is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring the effective and efficient application of ACJA by relevant agencies. Its responsibilities are to ensure that:

• criminal matters are dealt with, speedily and efficiently;

•  congestion of criminal cases in courts is drastically reduced;

• congestion in prisons is reduced to the barest minimum;

• persons awaiting trial are, as far as possible, not detained in prison custody; and

•  the relationship between the organs charged with the responsibility for all aspects of the administration of justice is cordial and there exists maximum co-operation amongst the organs.

PARASTATALS AND AGENCIES UNDER THE MINISTRY

1. NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

The National Human Rights Commission is an independent constitutional/statutory body established to support constitutional democracy by promoting, protecting and monitoring matters relating to human rights. It was formally established pursuant to the National Human Rights Commission Act, Cap N46 LFN, 2004 (as amended) to, amongst other things:

• create an enabling environment for the promotion, protection and extra-judicial recognition and enforcement of fundamental human rights;

• undertake initiatives, including public enlightenment, mediation and conciliation, training and research advocacy on contemporary issues in the human rights field; and

• adequately respond to allegations of human rights violations, advocacy, and education.

• National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

The NDLEA was established under the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30, LFN to coordinate all drug laws and enforcement functions conferred on any person or authority within the Federation. Its responsibilities include:

• Eradication, prevention and control of drug abuse;

• identify, trace, freeze, confiscate or seize proceeds derived from drug-related offences;

• eradicate illicit cultivation of narcotic plants and to eliminate illicit demand for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances;

• Prosecution of drug-related offences;

• Reinforcing and supplementing the measures provided in the convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and the United Nations Convention Against illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and its grave consequences; and

• rehabilitation of drug users in collaboration with rehabilitation centres.

• Nigeria Law Reform Commission

The Nigeria Law Reform Commission was established under the Nigeria Law Reform Commission Act No. 7 of 2022 to generally research, take and keep under review all Federal laws with a view to their systematic and progressive development and reform under the directions of the Attorney-General of the Federation or the National Assembly, The Commission engages in the:

• codification of federal laws;
• elimination of anomalies;
• repeal of obsolete, spent and unnecessary enactments;
• reduction in number of separate enactments;
• reform of procedural laws in consonance with changes in the machinery of the administration of justice; and
• generally, the simplification and modernisation of the law.

• REGIONAL CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION

The Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration was established under the Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration, Act, Cap R5 LFN, 2004. The Centre provides a platform for the settlement of disputes for the benefit of parties engaged in trade, commerce, and investment. Its functions are to:

• promote international arbitration and conciliation as an alternative means of dispute resolution;

• provide arbitration under fair, inexpensive and expeditious procedure in the region;

• co-ordinate the activities of, and assist existing institutions concerned with arbitration, particularly within the region; and

• assist in the enforcement of arbitral awards.

• LEGAL AID COUNCIL

The Legal Aid Council is a constitutional/statutory body, currently established (under the Legal Aid Act of 2011) with an expanded civil and criminal mandates to assist indigent persons to access such advice, assistance, and representation in court where the interest of justice demands. Its core mandate is to ensure the realisation of people’s right to legal representation and access to justice people who cannot afford it.

• Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies

The Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies was established under the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Act Cap I12, LFN, 2004 for the purpose of conducting research into any branch of law and applying the result in the interest of Nigeria, In carrying out this mandate, the NIALS is enjoined to collaborate with the authorities of Nigerian universities, the Nigerian Law School, the Nigerian Law Reform Commission and other bodies, whether in Nigeria or elsewhere, engaged in related field of law reform, development or research in the mobilisation of Nigeria’s research potentials for the task of national development and dissemination of research findings for the use of policy makers at all levels.

• Nigeria Copyright Commission

The Nigeria Copyright Commission was established under the Nigeria Copyright Commission Act No. 8 of 2022 to regulate, protect and administer copyright matters in Nigeria for the purpose of protecting the rights of authors and ensuring just rewards and recognition for their intellectual efforts. The functions of the Copyright Commission include:

• investigating, prosecuting and redressing cases of infringement of copyright and settling disputes of infringement of copyrights;

• creating and maintaining a register and database relating to copyright works; and

• facilitating Nigeria’s compliance with obligations arising from relevant international copyright treaties and conventions.

• National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP)

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons is multi-disciplinary law enforcement Agency established under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition), Enforcement and Administration Act as amended in 2015 as a focal institution to fight the scourge of trafficking in persons in and outside Nigeria. Its functions include:

• co-ordinate and enforce all laws on trafficking in persons and related offences;

• prevent, investigate, protect and prosecute offences or related offences on trafficking in persons;

• create public enlightenment and awareness aimed at educating the public on the dangers of trafficking in persons;

• facilitate co-operation and conduct joint operations with relevant law enforcement and security agencies, international authorities and other relevant partners in the eradication of trafficking in persons;

• strengthen legal means of international co-operation in suppressing trafficking in persons and implement all bilateral and multilateral treaties and conventions on trafficking in persons adopted by Nigeria; and

• assistance and rehabilitation of trafficked persons.

1. Council For Legal Education (Nigeria Law School)

The Council of Legal Education is the body primarily responsible for the provision of professional and practical legal education to persons seeking to become legal practitioners in Nigeria, as well as the discipline of such aspirants. The Council is also responsible for the accreditation of Law Faculties and training programmes at the Nigerian Law Schools.