NHRC seeks end to suspects' detention beyond 48 hours
Mon Apr 25, 2016 08:10:am National
1.5K By sosa hills
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned security agencies in the country against keeping crime suspects in their custody before they are charged to court.
The country's foremost human rights agency in its determined effort to put an end to the lingering cases of pre trial detention in the country said pre trial detention will no longer be tolerated given its affront to human dignity and fundamental human rights.
In a statement issued yesterday by the commission's Information Officer, Hajiya Fatima Agwai, as part of activities to mark the African Day of Pre Trial Detention in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof Bem Angwe, called on security agencies in the country to strictly observe the nation's constitution and Guidelines on the Conditions for Arrest, Police Custody and Pretrial Detention in Africa (GCAPCPDA) as well as other relevant international protocols, treaties and conventions in handling criminal suspects.
The Africa pre-trial detention day is commemorated yearly on April 25.
Meanwhile, Angwe has said the commission would not hesitate to release report of its investigation on hate speeches that were committed in the buildup the 2015 General Elections in the country.
Angwe disclosed that some powerful individuals and public institutions whom many thought are untouchable' would also be indicted and punished for their various roles during the polls.
Angwe stated this last week at the NHRC Headquarters when a media platform, New Nigeria Conversation, NNC, paid a courtesy visit to the commission.
According to him, Part 2 Section 7(b) (ii) of the (GCAPCPDA) states that, "The maximum duration of police custody, prior to the obligation to bring the arrested person before a judge, shall be set out in national law that prescribes time limits of not more than 48 hours extendable in certain circumstances by a competent judicial authority, consistent with international law and standards".
"It is, therefore, worrisome to note that a good number of people are put behind bars for a period of five to 15 years or more without diligent prosecution and in the process, some become sick or even die in detention despite the possibility of being innocent of the allegations made against them", Prof. Angwe said.
He therefore noted that the commission would continue to collaborate with the police and other security agencies to ensure that all detention facilities complied with the International Minimum Standard for treating criminal suspects.
The country's foremost human rights agency in its determined effort to put an end to the lingering cases of pre trial detention in the country said pre trial detention will no longer be tolerated given its affront to human dignity and fundamental human rights.
In a statement issued yesterday by the commission's Information Officer, Hajiya Fatima Agwai, as part of activities to mark the African Day of Pre Trial Detention in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof Bem Angwe, called on security agencies in the country to strictly observe the nation's constitution and Guidelines on the Conditions for Arrest, Police Custody and Pretrial Detention in Africa (GCAPCPDA) as well as other relevant international protocols, treaties and conventions in handling criminal suspects.
The Africa pre-trial detention day is commemorated yearly on April 25.
Meanwhile, Angwe has said the commission would not hesitate to release report of its investigation on hate speeches that were committed in the buildup the 2015 General Elections in the country.
Angwe disclosed that some powerful individuals and public institutions whom many thought are untouchable' would also be indicted and punished for their various roles during the polls.
Angwe stated this last week at the NHRC Headquarters when a media platform, New Nigeria Conversation, NNC, paid a courtesy visit to the commission.
According to him, Part 2 Section 7(b) (ii) of the (GCAPCPDA) states that, "The maximum duration of police custody, prior to the obligation to bring the arrested person before a judge, shall be set out in national law that prescribes time limits of not more than 48 hours extendable in certain circumstances by a competent judicial authority, consistent with international law and standards".
"It is, therefore, worrisome to note that a good number of people are put behind bars for a period of five to 15 years or more without diligent prosecution and in the process, some become sick or even die in detention despite the possibility of being innocent of the allegations made against them", Prof. Angwe said.
He therefore noted that the commission would continue to collaborate with the police and other security agencies to ensure that all detention facilities complied with the International Minimum Standard for treating criminal suspects.
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