The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, has warned Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, in the state against detaining suspects for more than 24 hours without bail or charging them to court.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the CP handed down the warning while visiting some police divisions.
Gumel said in Kano Metropolis detaining suspects beyond 24 hours before taking them to court for prosecution amounted to a violation of their rights because they were still presumed innocent until found guilty by a competent court.
The Commissioner of Police also reminded the DPOs that bail of suspects was free.
He urged them to always ensure the fundamental human rights of suspects at all times, and avoid actions capable of jeopardising their welfare and well-being.
CP Gumel was accompanied by representatives from the Correctional Centre, National Human Rights Commission, judiciary, Office of the State Attorney General, and some Civil Society Organisations.
He said the unscheduled visit to police formations was in line with the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme launched in December 2023.
According to the police boss: “All sectors of the society would want to see what the Police are doing in terms of access to justice.
“There was a marching order by the IGP to all commissioners of police to launch the PDSS to ensure fundamental human rights, access to justice and free legal services.
“We are determined to make the practical aspect of the PDSS.
“We have moved round a number of police stations within the metropolis and interacted with detainees.
“We went to Zango, Fagge, Sharada police divisions and the Correctional Centre at Janguza.
“We toured the facilities there, including the court inside the Correctional Centre handling special cases.
“Our intention is to keep visiting all the police stations.
“The visit is unscheduled.
“We did not inform them that we were coming because we wanted to see things for ourselves.
“During the visits, I drummed it into the ears of the DPOs that bail is free as long as the suspect fulfills all the bail conditions.
“I also informed them that detainees are not supposed to stay more than 24 hours in the cell without bail or charging them to court.”
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