Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of
Nigeria (CJN), has directed all chief magistrates across the country to inspect
police detention facilities in their areas on a monthly basis.
In a memo dated June 20, 2018,
Onnoghen said complaints of “horrific incidents” of police brutality of
innocent Nigerians have reached frightening proportions.
The nation’s chief law officer
said magistrate courts are currently overwhelmed with cases of inordinate
arrests and detention of citizens.
“As we approach election year, it
is imperative that we curb these excesses through the instrumentality of the
statutory powers of the court,” the chief justice wrote in response to a letter
by some lawyers.
He added that the administration
of criminal justice act (ACJA) has given magistrates oversight functions over
police stations in their jurisdictions.
Onnoghen directed the chief
judges in each of the states to direct chief magistrates to at least every
month, conduct an inspection of police stations or other places of detentions
within their territorial jurisdiction other than prison.
“During the visit, magistrate
may:
Call for, and inspect the record
of arrest
Direct the arraignment of the
suspect
Where bail has been refused,
grant bail to any suspect where appropriate if the offense for which the
suspect is held is within the jurisdiction of the magistrate.”
Earlier in the month, Ibrahim
Idris, inspector general of police, approved the independent audit of detention
cells of the police’ special anti-robbery squad (SARS) nationwide.
The National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC) had requested access to cells in all police commands and
formations in Nigeria in order to “oversee human rights situation of
detainees”.
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