Case Process

Step 1. Law Enforcement Agencies

All criminal matters are brought to the DPP by the law enforcement officers. That is after the case has been reported to them, investigations done and a docket compiled. They are the first custodian of all criminal matters.

Step 2. DPP

Upon receiving cases, the DPP’s responsibility is to assess evidence and determine whether or not a case can be registered before court for prosecution. During the assessment of evidence, a docket can be returned for further investigations to the Law Enforcement Agency and later received for onward prosecution.

Step 3. Court Proces

When the case is ripe for prosecution, it is registered with the appropriate court of law for trial proceedings. Upon arraignment, when the accused enters a plea of not guilty the case proceeds to CMC and finally commencement of trial. Whereas when the accused enters a plea of guilty the case proceeds to facts reading and a determination is made by the court in both incidents. Below are some factors that may affect the completion of a case before the court;

• Unavailability of a Presiding Officer
• Unavailability of substantive prosecutor
• Unavailability of court trial dates due to excessive workload
• Unavailability of witnesses
• Absconding of accused persons
• Further investigations
• Of recent, Covid-19 regulations