DPP emphasizes the importance of building prosecutorial capacity to strengthen the fight against crime

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, OGW, held separate discussions today with delegations from the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Africa and the Human Trafficking Institute (HTI).

During talks with HTI Executive Director Victor Boutross, the DPP emphasized the importance of building prosecutorial capacity to strengthen the fight against human trafficking. He highlighted how enhanced skills and resources could expedite case processing and improve conviction rates against traffickers.

The DPP also stressed the need to consider the well-being of victims in the human trafficking cycle, particularly women and children, noting the troubling links between human trafficking and other serious crimes, such as organ harvesting, terrorism, and corruption.

Mr. Boutross expressed his commitment to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, aiming to not only combat human trafficking but also increase arrests and successful prosecutions. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining the specifics of the partnership between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and HTI is anticipated in early 2025.

Later, Mr. Stanley Spangler, Supervisory Foreign Affairs Officer for Africa and Middle East Region, recognized the DPP’s efforts in addressing money laundering and terrorism and shared his preference for a regional strategy to tackle these issues. Mr. Spangler and his team were briefed on the Uadilifu Case Management System, an innovative digital platform designed to reduce case backlogs.

The system includes features such as e-filing, document and case tracking, document supply, and report generation, enhancing accountability, transparency, security, and accessibility of case information.

The DPP called for strengthened collaboration between INL Africa and the ODPP, reinforcing the shared commitment to tackle transnational crime.