The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Husseini Gumel, has issued a stern warning to all Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, in the State to refrain from detaining suspects beyond 48 hours without charging them to court.
The CP handed down the marching order on Tuesday March 5 2024, during an unscheduled visit to some Police formations within Kano Metropolis.
This is even as he has reminded the DPOs that bail application remains free.
CP Gumel emphasized the need for the DPOs and others to ensure that the fundamental human rights of citizens are respected in the course of discharging their duties,adding that all actions capable of jeopardizing the peoples rights should be avoided by police personnel.
The CP who was accompanied on the visit by officials of Nigerian Correctional Centres ,National Human Rights Commission , Judicial officers, Officials from the office of Kano State Attorney General and some Civil Society Groups, noted that the unscheduled visit is in line with Police Duty Solicitors Scheme PDSS which was flagged off in December 2023 .
“All sectors of the society would want to see what the Police is doing in terms of access to Justice . There is a marching order from the Inspector General of Police IGP for all Commissioners of police to launch the PDSS to ensure the protection of fundamental Human Rights of citizens ,and guarantee access to justice and free legal services
“So we are determined to meet the practical aspect of the PDSS . We have moved round some police formations within the metropolis and interacted with detainees” CP Gumel stated.
