Magistrate Warns IPO On Detention Of Suspects

Magistrate S.K Matepo of Yaba Magistrates’ Court  on Tuesday said disciplin-ary action would be taken against Investigating Police Officers, who keep suspects for more than 24 hours.

Matepo gave the warning when one Friday Ayomipo, who was arrested on Friday, May 31, for alleged assault, was arraigned in the court.

She said it was against the law to keep suspects in police custody for more than 24 hours without taking them to court.

“This is the reason why Magistrates’ Courts in Lagos State now seat on Saturday.

“I was here on Saturday and no suspect was brought in. Now I found that those you brought in here today were arrested on Friday; why did you keep them,’’ she asked.”

The prosecuting police officer, Cpl. Lucy Anosike of the Adekunle Police Station, however, claimed he did not know that courts seat on Saturdays.

“I am not aware your honour that the court seats on Saturdays”, Anosike said.

Matepo, how-ever, warned that she would institute disciplinary action against any prosecuting police officer who flouts the directive.

“I have warned some others in the past and will repeat such if it happens again,” Matepo said.