NewStats: 3,265,372 , 8,186,552 topics. Date: Saturday, 14 June 2025 at 05:04 PM 2f6w53

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, has appealed to judges and chief magistrates to conduct monthly inspection of all police stations and detention centres across the country.

The appeal was contained in a letter dated November 12, 2020, in which the legal practitioner noted that “incessant arrest, detention and torture of poor citizens” by security agencies have become the order of the day.

Falana made reference to section 34 of the istrative of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 which empowers chief judges to designate senior lawyers to conduct monthly visitation and inspection of police cells and detention centres.

Falana, who is also the interim chair of Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), cited section 70 of the newly enacted Nigeria Police Act, 2020, which also gives legal backing to chief magistrates and judges to conduct monthly inspection of police stations and detention centres within their territorial jurisdiction.

The section states: “70 (1) The Chief Magistrate, or where there is no chief magistrate within the police division, any magistrate designated by the Chief Judge for that purpose, shall at least every month, conduct an inspection of police stations or other places of detention within his territorial jurisdiction other than the prison.

“(2) During a visit, the magistrate may; (a) call for, and inspect, the record of arrests; (b) direct the arraignment of suspect; (c) where bail has been refused, grant bail to any suspect, where appropriate, if the offence for which the suspect is held is within the jurisdiction of the magistrate.

“(3) An officer in charge of a police station or an official in charge of any agency authorised to make an arrest shall make available to the visiting chief magistrate or designated magistrate exercising his powers under subsection (1): (a) the full record of arrest and record of bail; (b) applications and decisions on bail made within the period; and (c) any other facility the magistrate requires to exercise his power under that subsection.”

The section also makes provisions for disciplinary measures for police officers in the case of illegal arrest and detention.

He stated that the provisions of the istration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and Nigeria Police Act, 2020 give the visiting judges and chief magistrates the right to grant bail or order for the arraignment of the persons in detention, adding that there will be “no basis for the #EndSARS protest” in the future, if the inspection is carried out.

He also called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to assign representatives to the visiting judges and chief magistrates to accompany them on the monthly inspection.

“We are of the strong view that if all detention facilities in the country are henceforth regularly inspected by Judges and Chief Magistrates as stipulated by the law, the people of Nigeria will no longer be subjected to illegal arrest and detention by the Police and other security agencies,” he said.

“In particular, there will be no basis for #EndSARS and any similar campaign either now or in future.

“We are therefore compelled to call on Judges and Chief Magistrates to carry out their duties under section 70 of the Police Act.

“However, to achieve the objective of the law we appeal to the respective Chief Judges to supervise the Visiting Judges and Chief Magistrates in the discharge of their statutory duties. Where there is no Chief Magistrate within the police division, the Chief Judge should designate a Magistrate for the purpose in accordance with section 70 (1) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020.

“We equally call on the of the Human Rights Community, including the Nigerian Bar Association, to assign their accredited representatives to accompany the Judges and Chief Magistrates during the monthly inspection of police stations and other detention facilities in Nigeria.”

https://www.thecable.ng/falana-asks-judges-to-conduct-monthly-visits-to-police-stations-detention-centres

I love that decision.

Most sensible thing I have heard from Nigeria in a long time.

The police themselves should be inspected, most of them no well spiritually and mentally.

“(2) During a visit, the magistrate may; (a) call for, and inspect, the record of arrests; (b) direct the arraignment of suspect; (c) where bail has been refused, grant bail to any suspect, where appropriate, if the offence for which the suspect is held is within the jurisdiction of the magistrate.

Exactly!

This should be done impromptu without any warning or notification.

If more people exist in the cells more than the docking record, the DPO should be sacked.

Any police station found wanting for holding a suspect beyond the stipulated 24hours without bail or court charge, should have the arresting officer and DPO sacked and prosecuted.

While every police officer who was on duty during the period of the wrongful incarceration, should have half their salary for same period deducted and paid as compensation to the victims.

Rightfully said and it is a welcome development cos innocent people are being detained unjustly. Its high time we have our record straight and do what is right in this country.

Cause we know say Police no go ever change na Vacation dem go dey will all resume dere way of life again...

It must be unaware Visit a good surprise visit like a gurl paying is boyfriend a visit without updating him before showing up....

I love this man.

Nigerian police force will hide innocents and bring out criminals.

And unaware

Nice talk. However, there's a limit to which you can monitor humans. As long as people are corrupt and irresponsible they'll always find a way around any law or policy.

We need to build a society and mentality that puts common good before individual and personal benefits. Until we have this mentality, there's no way forward in this country.

Many people only complain of corruption when they're on the negative end. Put a typical Nigerian in a position to enjoy corrupt funds and watch him/her give a thousand and one reasons why his/her holy book doesn't count that as a bad deed.

Funny enough, everyone seems to enjoy pointing fingers at others while perpetrating great evils in private.

Can you imagine that police act empowered Lawyer to routinely check police cells but they are too lazy to do it. Our problem is there is no strong, incuruptible institution. Once you get employed by Government you relax and expect your full payment at the end of the month

Day don break

He's right because alot are there coz of minor issues

IGP of the North go get time

Does he know his duty

Has he finished social visiting and commenting on a lady not properly dressed

Show me a minister doing well in this regime and I will show you 10 that doesn't know their left from their right!!!

Though according to our president, once they are thin, they are working

Oshisko

They won't do anything about that suggestion. They just don't care

nice idea

Time to time falana makes a reasonable decisions, but those crooks in power would not listen. Those innocent victims in prison without helpers need to pity and assist in one way and others to get them out of prison.

It would have been nice, but as we all know they would sabotage it.

Good idea, but the DPOs and wardens will always hide their victims once the appointment is booked.. During the ENDSARS protests, the governor visited Awkuzu SARS and only saw about 2 or 3 detainees. Do you need anybody to tell you that like a hyena running away with it's kill, the officers have hidden the main detainees elsewhere?

Some already do though, the problem is that usually the policemen have coconut heads and don't listen.

way to go.

oche2020:
And unaware

This is it.

No paparazzi, it must be unscheduled so as to see the things unedited.

Na falz papa be this?

Yes

It is well

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Damnnnnn niggarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
I agree

That is why i didn't see anything wrong in this jail break during Endsars protest because the cry of the innocent souls in there just got answered

Agreed. All arrests should be documented in a central website accessible to lawyers and judges. Any suspect not charged within 48 hours should be released. This will stop the issue of big men using police to punish people and some businessmen locking up their debtors.

olaolulazio:
Nigerian police force will hide innocents and bring out criminals.

True

Agreed

Sure, why not
Send criminals there and they become worse instead of being rehabilitated.

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