Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, has asked Olufunmilayo Oke, chief judge of Lagos, to order the monthly inspection of police stations in the state in a bid to check illegal detention.
In a letter dated December 15, Falana said the state’s chief magistrates should be saddled with the responsibility.
He said the chief magistrates should also be given the mandate of inspecting the records of all arrests made by the police.
“Pursuant to section 34 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act Act, 2015 we hereby request Your Ladyship to designate Chief Magistrates to conduct monthly inspection of all police stations and other detention centres in Lagos State in order to prevent the illegal detention of Nigerian citizens and foreigners living in Lagos State,” the letter read.
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“During the said monthly inspection the said designated Chief Magistates are required to call for and inspect the records of all arrests made by the Police and other law enforcement agencies, direct the arraignment of criminal suspects and grant bail to detained persons in deserving cases.
“It is hoped that Your Ladyship will not hesitate to grant our humble request in view of the urgent need to compel the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to respect the fundamental right of every person to liberty and dignity guaranteed by sections 34 and 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.”
The Nigerian Prison Service (NPS) had said 48,527 out of 72,384 inmates across the country are awaiting trial.
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The figure accounts for 66 per cent of all inmates.
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