BREAKING:ARGUNGU CALLS FOR HUMAN TREATMENT OF ARRESTED SUSPECTS WITH REGARD TO THEIR RIGHT TO DIGNITY OF THEIR PERSONS

 

By : Adeosun Ewatomi 

A training programme on international Human Rights-based policing and effective oversight of personnel of the Police Service Commission has commenced at the Parry Osayande Auditorium of the Police Service Commission in Abuja. The programme is organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Speaking at the opening ceremony on "The Role of Police Service Commission  in oversight  and Monitoring  of the Nigeria Police Force Officials as Individuals and the Service as a Whole: Accountability and Transparency  on the condition of stop, search, arrest, Police Custody and Pre-trial detention in Nigeria" the Chairman of the Commission,  DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni, x-rayed  human treatment of arrested suspects  and declared that a suspect shall "be accorded human treatment,  having regard to his right to the dignity of his person and  not be subjected to any form of torture, cruelty,  inhuman or degrading treatment. 

DIG Argungu noted that a suspect shall not be arrested merely on a civil wrong or breach of contract and shall be brought before the court as prescribed  by law or otherwise released  conditionally  or unconditionally. 

He explained that a person shall not for any reason be arrested in place of a suspect adding that the law prohibits the handcuffing or any other unnecessary restrain of an arrested person, except " there is reasonable apprehension  of violence or an attempt to escape; the restrain is considered necessary  for the safety of the suspect or defendant or by order of court".

The PSC Chairman said all over the world, Police Officers generally have broad powers to carry out their functions and duties.

He however noted that the Constitution  as amended and other procedural laws however place limits on how far Police can go in trying to enforce the law.

According to him, one of the primary purposes of these laws is to protect citizens  from abuses by government,  including police misconduct .

The Chairman also today received three delegations, one from the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust; the Nigeria  Youth Organisation led by Comrade Okorie C. Okorie and the Human Rights  Writers Association of Nigeria led by Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko.