The campaign against the long detention of suspects in detention centres without bail has been taken to various courts and correctional facilities in Kano state North West Nigeria.
The Commissioner of Police Kano State CP Mohammed Gumel led the team of Police Duty Solicitor Scheme Implementation Committee to High courts Magistrates and Area Courts in Kano Metropolis.
While interacting with some Judges and law officials, CP Gumel informed them that, the Kano Committee on Police Duty Solicitor Scheme is committed to ensuring free legal services to detainees in various Police custody and correctional facilities.
Gumel told the legal officers that, the Committee is Advisory, and aimed at ensuring access to legal representation and fair treatment of detainees by the criminal justice system.
He noted that the Kano Police Command is determined to uphold the principles of justice and fair play as well as the respect fundamental Human Rights of individuals involved in any legal matter.
He said, “The Police in Kano is a respecter of human rights.”
Gumel explained that the interactions with judges were understandable and successful.
“By our interactions with the judges, we come to have a very good understanding that, issues of enforcement, will be reduced drastically because at the gate of the criminal Justice administration which the police are, we should be seen doing the best.”
CP Gumel emphasised that detention must be done with adequate reason adding that, those with sore tee can apply for bail which will be granted except if it is not a bailable offence.
The Kano Police boss was also at the Medium Security Custodial Center in Kano City where he was received by Deputy Comptroller Tukur Muazu.
He was briefed on the challenges some of the awaiting trials are facing including those with capital offenses but having their cases being heard in courts with no jurisdiction.
Lack of case files and absence of legal representation by some awaiting trials were part of the challenges.
CP Gumel noted that all complaints will receive adequate attention.
“As a committee, we are going to do a report and we will send it to stakeholders particularly the government, the judiciary, and the Ministry of Justice.”
The Police Duty Solicitor Scheme Implementation Committee was also at the Kano State Agency for Evacuation and Repatriation of Beggars an agency that is responsible for discouraging street begging on a similar mission.
Dominica Nwabufo
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