By Tony Adibe
The Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, has commissioned the first Centre for DNA Forensics and Criminal Investigation in West Africa, with a strong warning to outlaws that there is no more hiding place for criminals in the state, as his administration has built the capacity to pre-empt, track down, and bring them to face justice.
Governor Mbah gave the warning on Wednesday during the commissioning of the Centre for DNA Forensics and Criminal Investigation (CeDFoCI), a strategic partnership between the Enugu State Government, the Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI), and the Nigeria DNA Learning Centre, at the university’s permanent campus, Ugwuomu, Nike in Enugu East Local Government Area of the state.
NewsBits reports that Mbah is reputed to be the first Governor in Nigeria who has deployed the use of modern technology to fight crime and criminals in the state, first with the establishment of the Command and Control Centre (CC C) – and now building the (CeDFoCI), though in partnership with GOUNI and the Nigeria DNA Learning Centre.
However, the Governor’s warning came as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu; and the Vice Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University, Nike, Enugu, Prof. Christian Anieke, appreciated Mbah’s strides in the security sector. They described the Centre as a major contribution to national security and the justice system.
But Mbah described the Centre as “one of the most important investments” by his administration in the state’s security architecture in line with the Citizens’ Charter, adding that none of those ambitions would be possible without security. Mbah insisted that while his administration had significantly reduced crime, more work needed to be done.
He said: “That is why we continue to invest, continue to innovate, and continue to strengthen the systems that keep our people safe. That brings us to why we are here today.
“The Centre strengthens our ability to investigate crime, track criminals, support the work of law enforcement, and ensure that those who threaten the peace of our communities have fewer and fewer places to hide.
“So, to the criminals, I say this: every crime scene leaves a trace. And we can now track that trace and use it as evidence against you. For too long, many crimes have gone unresolved because the tools did not exist to capture and prosecute you. Now they do.
“Therefore, if you intend to harm our people, if you intend to prey on our children, if you intend to threaten our communities, understand that the state now possesses capabilities that did not previously exist.
“This Centre changes what is possible. It strengthens our ability to follow the evidence, identify those responsible, and support the work of law enforcement with world-class forensic science.
“So, Enugu is open to investors. Enugu is open to innovators. Enugu is open to people who want to build, create, and contribute. But for those who seek to undermine the peace and security of our people, the message is very simple: you can run, but you cannot hide.”
Mbah, however, noted that the emergence of the Centre also comes with responsibilities and new ways of doing things for Enugu residents. According to him, “Henceforth, when crimes occur, keep a safe distance, promptly alert the authorities, and allow trained professionals to carry out their work.
“Every footprint, fingerprint, strand of hair, blood sample, or biological trace may contain crucial evidence. Once contaminated, such evidence may be lost.”
He said the Centre, though located in Enugu State, remains open for use by relevant agencies, organisations, professionals, and governments beyond its borders. He said: “This facility may be located here, but its significance extends far beyond our borders. It is our contribution to the quest for a justice system that is guided not by conjecture, but by evidence; not by suspicion, but by science.”
Mbah lauded President Bola Tinubu’s courageous policies, adding that “these reforms have allowed more funds to flow to states, enabling us to develop infrastructure at scale, including strengthening our security.”
He further said: “Again, through his recent transmission of the State Police Bill to the National Assembly, Mr President boldly demonstrates his support for the devolution of policing responsibilities to states, and a clear appreciation of the realities of modern security management.”
The Governor explained that the partnership with Godfrey Okoye University was consistent with his administration’s broader vision to create an ecosystem where learning institutions are not isolated from society’s challenges but are active participants in solving them.
He said: “I commend the Vice Chancellor for nurturing an environment that is wholly conducive to learning and Prof. George Ude, Founding Director of the Centre for DNA Forensics and Criminal Investigation, for his commitment to excellence and for lending his expertise to this project.”
Also speaking, the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, said: “The establishment of CeDFoCI places Enugu and Nigeria on the path of advanced jurisdictions that have integrated forensic science into the core of their security and justice architecture.
“This facility will significantly strengthen Nigeria’s forensic science capacity. It will equip law enforcement agencies with modern tools for criminal investigation, provide prosecutors with credible scientific evidence, assist the courts in reaching just outcomes, and improve the overall administration of criminal justice.
“Again, in an era when criminal enterprises are becoming increasingly sophisticated, security agencies must be equipped with equally sophisticated investigative capabilities.”
While lauding the Enugu State government’s and GOUNI’s collaboration, the IGP Olatunji Disu, said that the CeDFoCI would strengthen the capacity and work of the police and build citizens’ confidence in the system.
Disu said: “For the Nigeria Police Force, this Centre represents enormous opportunities to strengthen investigations into homicide, kidnapping, terrorism, armed robbery, sexual offences, human trafficking, missing persons, and other grave crimes.
“This Centre will equally provide opportunities for specialised training, scientific research, professional development, and knowledge exchange that will continue to improve investigative standards across our police formations. Citizens are more likely to trust the criminal justice system when investigations are transparent, impartial, and supported by credible evidence.”
The Founding Director and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the DNA Learning Centre, DNALA, Prof. George Ude, said the institutions were established to, among others, ensure that criminal investigations in Nigeria are guided by scientific truth; support courts with reliable, defensible forensic findings; anchor justice in evidence rather than uncertainty; train law enforcement officers, forensic scientists, medical professionals, students, and early-career researchers; and advance research in forensic genetics, informatics, and molecular biology.
