Lawyer Decries Torture Of Suspects

A Port Harcourt-based lawyer and political activist, Barrister Endurance Akpelu, has deplored the use of torture and violence against suspects by members of the Nigeria  Police.

Barrister Akpelu, who stated this while speaking with The Tide in Port Harcourt, recently noted that it was not uncommon to find the investigating police officer (DPO) taking sides with the complainant to   victimise a suspect.

The Port Harcourt  lawyer expressed regret  that suspects were battered, tortured and exposed to despicable  conditions for the mere fact that there is a report against them at a police station, which  might either be right or wrong.

He said that it was  the place of the police to pass judgement on the  suspects but present such persons to court which will determine their culpability.

Barr. Akpalu pointed out that by the grandnorm of the Nigerian law, the accused  person was presumed innocent until the contrary is proved by a court of competent jurisdiction.

He said the rule of law required the police to operate  within the ambit of the  law.

The Port Harcourt lawyer  ought to have  a  remarked  re-orientation in order to work effectively in the 21st century.

According to him, “it is unfortunate that the police  have become of suspects. Once you are a suspect rightly or wrongly, prepare for the worst at the police stations. Even a lawyer comes for the bail of a suspect, the police try to make things  difficult  for him”.

They will tell you that the IPO is not around. The truth of the matter is that the  more suspects an IPO  has, the more money he makes”, the counsel  stated.

Barr. Akpelu urged the Inspect General of Police,  and commissioners of police in the  various states of the federation to urgently step to protect the constitutional right of citizens.

Chidi Enyie