By Chizoba Ogbeche
… NOPRIN tasks NHRC, judiciary on monitoring
The Network On Police Reforms In Nigeria (NOPRIN) has emphasised the need for adequate funding of police to ensure that police detention facilities were maintained and serviced to meet human habitable conditions,
respect gender and human rights and sensitive to age categorisation.
This is as NOPRIN has tasked the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the judiciary, particularly the Chief Magistrates, to uphold their legal
responsibilities in consistently monitoring detention conditions while also highlighting the
importance of the police to ensure up to date records of people who may have been detained and regular reporting to the Magistrate.
The report on the state of some police detention facilities in Nigeria titled: “Reforming Police Detention Facilities in Nigeria: Enhancing Oversight and
Accountability Measures,” was the outcome of investigation by NOPRIN, in partnership with the Judiciary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through funding support from the German Federal Foreign Office.
Blueprint reports that teams comprising members from the judiciary, NHRC, and civil society organisations conducted on-site visits to 30 urban and rural police stations in Akwa-Ibom, Bauchi, Enugu, Kano, Niger, and Ondo states.
They administered questionnaires, observed operations, examined documents, and engaged with
relevant stakeholders.
The primary objective of this exercise was to underscore the urgent need for the government
and all relevant stakeholders to play their parts in ensuring detention facilities meet minimum human rights standards and decency while maintaining gender and age sensitivity.
Speaking during the presentation of report findings, in Abuja, NOPRIN Vice Chairperson, Mrs. Felicitas Aigbogun, noted that: “The findings of this report highlight a critical need for reforms in our police detention facilities. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that these facilities are humane and meet international standards.”
NHRC Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Anthony Okechukwu Ojukwu (SAN), in his remarks, emphasised that the report underscored the importance of oversight and accountability in the justice system.
“We call on the government and all relevant stakeholders to take immediate action to improve the conditions in police detention facilities,” stated the CEO, who was represented by Ben Agwu.
On his part, UNDP Programme Specialist on Rule of Law and Human Rights, Mr. Napoleon Enayaba, noted that “the UNDP is committed to supporting Nigeria in its efforts to enhance human rights and the rule of law. This report is a significant step towards ensuring that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.”
The public presentation was aimed at galvanising support for the necessary reforms and investments in police detention facilities, encouraging a collective approach to address the identified issues; just as dialogue at the event highlighted a shared commitment to advancing human rights and ensuring that police detention facilities meet international standards and best practices.
