FG Sets Up World Class Forensic/DNA Labs

The federal government has constituted a presidential committee with a mandate to set up a world class forensic and Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) laboratory in the nation’s capital.

Spokesman for the ministry of police affairs, Mr. James Odaudu, who made this known in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP disclosed that  the laboratory is in line with the security component of the Federal Government’s Transformation Agenda, and a direct response to the security challenges facing the country,

According to Odaudu, a presidential committee presided over by the minister of police affairs, Capt Caleb Olubolade rtd. who represents President Goodluck Jonathan, has 3 months to submit a report on the project.

The Committee members were to also examine all laws relating to forensic services in the country, with a view to bringing them up-to-date with what obtains in other climes, especial as they concern the regulation of private forensic practices.

According to Olubolade, the establishment of modern forensic laboratories would greatly enhance the operations of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies especially in scene-of-crime, forgery, DNA and paternity investigations and also facilitate their prosecutions, while also assisting neighbouring countries with similar services.

He directed all data collection agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force, Immigration Services, the Nigeria Customs Services, the Prisons, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Identity Management Commission etc to be ready for data integration in order to facilitate crime detection and prosecution by the security agencies.

The Committee which has about one month to submit its report, has its membership drawn from all the security services, the Presidency and the office of the Solicitor-General of the Federation.