Guardian

THE event was organised to address the worrisome manner in which suspects are treated during their arrest or detention at police stations in Nigeria.   It was a training programme for lawyers, with an overall objective of correcting public conception that once a suspect is taken to a police station, their legal rights, would be denied and this would subject them to ill -treatment.

Members of the epochal scheme pioneered by Justice For All in conjunction with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Nigerian Bar Association are to include lawyers or para-legal staffers, who would agree on a pro- bono basis to attend to Police Stations daily to review the legality and treatment of any suspect arrested or detained persons.

The calibre of attendees was also indicative of the importance of such a training, jointly organised by the NHRC, the Nigerian Bar Association and Justice for All (J4A) under the Department For International Development (DFID).

Among those who attended were the Divisional Police Officer, Adeniji Adele Police Station, CSP Monday Agonika, his Isokoko, Agege counterparts, Oliver Amaechi, a solicitor, Kunle Fadipe, a consultant to DFID, Mr. Tony Cross, Seth Amaefula of the NBA, Lagos, Marshall Oghenerhaeoko, representatives of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, the Legal Research Consult, Legal Aid Council, the Lagos State Office of Public Defender (OPD) and representatives of the Human Rights community

According to the NHRC’s Zonal Coordinator, Mrs. Segun Mausi, the training was part of the commission’s mandate to provide legal aid to those category of Nigerians, who might find themselves at the station at any point.

They are to offer free legal advice to such persons, as necessary and where possible, provide an ‘on call’ service by telephone for suspects to exercise their rights to seek legal advice.

Mausi said the scheme, which started at Isokoko Police Station in Agege, has recorded tremendous progress that it is being extended to other stations in Lagos.

In his remarks, Cross said to attain justice for all in Nigeria, there must be model police station to guarantee the rights of detainees.

According to him, suspects, who are brought to police station must be treated in accordance with the law, without use of excessive force.

The Charge Room Officer (CRO) should be accountable for the treatment of all suspects brought to the station and those subsequently detained.

Suspects, he said, should be informed and given a copy of their rights, including the fact that they could seek legal advice at their own expense while in detention.

“Suspects shall whilst in detention be informed that they can communicate with anyone on the telephone or in person provided that this will not interfere with police investigation.

Every station, he said, should evolve an effective procedure, which would document the handling and treatment of suspects. Members of the divisional management team should exercise proper supervision within the charge room office.

Cross noted that the introduction of a system of external oversight by the community regarding the treatment of suspects has proved to be successful in raising police standards.

Some of the benefits derived from such system, he said, included the fact that although police have been granted extensive legal authority to arrest and detain suspects but these powers must be used lawfully. It is, therefore, in the legal and professional interests of the Nigeria Police Force that suspects are treated with respect and without excessive force. They are also to be given all their appropriate rights in accordance with the law.

“An excessive use of force, a lack of accountability and breaches of suspects’ legal rights can only serve to undermine public confidence in the police. The challenge of raising public confidence in policing remains a central goal of all police officers.

“The introduction of the scheme that serves to protect the legal rights of suspects and arrested persons while allowing external scrutiny of the conditions and legality in which persons are detained, will help to improve and change public perceptions.

The Justice For All programme, in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force and local lawyers is running a scheme at the police station to improve the treatment of suspects as well as improve the way the public view how people are treated in police stations.

The training of lawyers in the scheme involving the local firms, who will provide a visiting and on call service to the police station to check the conditions, legal situation and also give free advice to suspects, the scheme is limited to advice while the suspects is in the police station and does not cover legal representation in court.

“The free legal advice include victims of gender based violence in order to safeguard their rights as victims and help ensure they receive proper support and guidance”.

Speaking on the success of the scheme, the DPO for Isokoko, Amaechi believe that the model police station is a possibility with the cooperation of all stakeholders in justice delivery sector.

He commended the efforts of the organisers and pledged his total cooperation to make it work.

Also, Monday Agonika called for an implementation of the scheme in every police station in the state because of what he called impressive results already recorded at Adeniyi Adele Police Station.