‘Suspects’ Torture, Barbaric, Shameful’

Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr Musa Kimo (right), welcoming the State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon. John Bazia (2nd left), to the Town Hall meeting on Security Challenges organised by the Commissioner of Police at Police Officers Mess, Port Harcourt, yesterday. With them are Service Chiefs. Pix: Nuieh Donatus Ken

A Lagos-based lawyer,
and human rights advocate, Abraham Jande Esq, has described torture and brutality meted out to suspects by law enforcement agents as barbaric and disgraceful.
Jande, who stated this during a phone chat with our correspondent on Monday noted that the use of torture had been outlawed and pointed out that it was unlawful for law enforcement agents to continue to use the same against suspects.
He said it was horrible that suspects were still being beaten up by people who were supposed to protect them until the law determines their innocence or otherwise in the matter.
Jande Esq, also stated that the Nigerian (Legal System), law presumes the accused person innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.
He warned that the mentality of law enforcement agents had to change to facilitate justice dispensation.
According to him, nobody can violate the law and go scot-free no matter how highly place do. We are all equal before the law.’
“You see because of the erroneous and mistaken belief that the accused person is guilty, they treat him like a common criminal. Nobody becomes a criminal unless the court pronounces him as such,’ the lawyer stated.
“But what we see in the police stations are nothing to write home about, it is unprofessional, uncivilised and done in bad faith,’ he further stated.
He called on police formations across the country to educate their officers and men on how to treat suspects.

Chidi Enyie