Press Release

US Department of Justice Program for Legal Practitioners in Nigeria

March 28, 2006

The United States Department of Justice, Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development and Training, in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, National Agency For Prohibition of Traffic In Persons and Other Related Matters, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Federal Ministry of Justice, Director of Public Prosecutions and the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Director of Public Prosecutions, is conducting a plea bargaining training program for over 60 judges, prosecutors and defence attorneys.

The program is being held March 27-28, 2006 at the Nigerian Law School in Lagos. Andre Davis, A Federal District Court Judge, Margo Brodie and Michael Johnson, Assistant United States Attorney from the United States Department of Justice and Mary Jo Barr, a defence attorney from the United States, will be participating in the program. In addition, Fola Arthur-Worry, Solicitor General of Lagos State is also participating in the program.

A similar program will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Abuja March 29-30, 2006, for over 100 judges, prosecutors and defence attorneys. Professor Yemi Akinseye-George, SA to the Attorney General of the Federation will be participating in the Abuja program.

# # # #