The police deny having taken the magistrate out of the police station

Lagos Police say no area commander has prevented a magistrate from inspecting detention facilities at any police station in the state.

This is contained in a statement released Thursday by command spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin.

Mr. Hundeyin said the command's attention was drawn to the news circulating that the Ikorodu Police Zone Commander had removed Magistrate Ganiyat Anifowose from the premises of the Zone Command.

He said the clarification became necessary given the embarrassment the said story had brought to the command.

According to him, on July 27, 2022, the magistrate presented himself to the zone command with a dozen lawyers, which is totally against the procedure of monthly cell visits by magistrates.

Mr. Hundeyin said the lawyers took photos and made video recordings, a practice which the area commander strongly refused as it went against established procedure.

“Furthermore, visiting a magistrate cell is totally different from visiting the Police Advocate Program (PDSS), which aims to provide legal services to indigent suspects.

"This the police did well in collaboration with the Legal Aid Board of Nigeria. It was therefore inappropriate for the magistrate to visit the detention center accompanied by a team from the PDSS.

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"In this case, the magistrate's visit was conducted contrary to the provisions of the ACJL 2021, on which the police were trained and which they respect.

“The area commander, after observing all the failings, had no choice but to insist on the correct procedure,” he said.

The spokesperson said that contrary to reports on social media, the area commander never took a magistrate out of police command, but instead asked lawyers to wait outside of the position, as they were not part of the monthly visit. , by law.

He noted that at no time had armed men harassed the magistrate, pointing out that armed men were regularly found on the premises of police formations.

"Setting the record straight, Lagos State Command Police Commissioner, CP Abiodun Alabi reiterated that the Police Command will continue to cooperate and work with the Judiciary and all other stakeholders in the administration of justice.< /p>

"It's about ensuring a smooth administration of criminal justice within the state," he said.

Last month, police were accused of jailing a magistrate who showed up for a routine check of illegally detained suspects at Area D Command in Mushin.

The police denied the charge.

(NAN)

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