By Frank Ikpefan, Abuja
The Network On Police Reforms In Nigeria (NOPRIN) has said there is a critical need for reforms in police detention facilities across the country.
The organisation called for collective responsibility to ensure that these facilities are upgraded to meet international standards.
The vice chairperson of NOPRIN, Felicitas Aigbogun, stated this at the public presentation of a comprehensive report on the state of some police detention facilities in Nigeria.
“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,” Aigbogun stated.
The report was put together by NOPRIN, in partnership with the Judiciary of the 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.
The report, titled: “Reforming Police Detention Facilities in Nigeria: Enhancing Oversight and Accountability Measures,” examined the extent of compliance by Nigeria’s police with section 70 of the Nigeria Police Force Establishment Act 2020.
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 organisation said the primary objective of the 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.
“The findings highlight the continuous need for adequate funding of the police to ensure that police detention facilities are maintained and serviced to meet human habitable conditions, respect gender and human rights, and be sensitive to age categorization.
“Additionally and in compliance with sections 69 and 70 of the Police Act 2020, NOPRIN calls on the 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 held its detention facility and regular reporting to the Magistrate.
“Section 6(1) of the NHRC Establishment Act mandates regular audits of police detention facilities, while the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (2015) and the Police Act (2020) stipulate periodic inspections by Chief Magistrates and other judicial officers. The NHRC Amendment Act (2010) further empowers the commission to visit detention facilities to assess conditions and make necessary recommendations,” NOPRIN said in a statement.
The Executive Secretary, NHRC Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) who was represented by Ben Agwu called on the Federal Government and all relevant stakeholders to take immediate action to improve the conditions in police detention facilities.
“This report underscores the importance of oversight and accountability in our justice system. We call on the government and all relevant stakeholders to take immediate action to improve the conditions in police detention facilities,” Ojukwu said.
Also, the UNDP Program Specialist on Rule of Law and Human Rights, Mr. Napoleon Enayaba said the United Nations agency was committed to supporting Nigeria in its efforts to enhance human rights and the rule of law.
Enayaba said: “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.”
