In an attempt to disallow human rights abuse through unnecessary detention in the Kano State of Nigeria, the Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Nura Sagir Umar has designated some Chief Magistrates to conduct inspection visits to various Police Stations in the state at the end of every month.
The Chief Judge, in a message to the State Commissioner of Police, signed by the Head of Public Relations Unit, Kano State Judiciary, Baba Jibo Ibrahim said the step is in compliance with the provision of section 53 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Kano State 2019, commencing from Tuesday, the 23rd November 2021.
Section 53 (1), according to the statement read thus: “The Chief Magistrate or where there is no Chief Magistrate within the police division, any Magistrate designated by the Chief Judge shall, at least every month, conduct an inspection of Police Stations or other places of detention within his territorial jurisdiction other than the prison.”
In subsection (2) it read: During the visit, Sub Section (2) reads that, the Magistrate May: “call for, and inspect, the record of arrests; direct the arraignment of a suspect, or where bail has been refused, grant bail to any suspect where appropriate if the offence for which the suspect is held is within the jurisdiction of the Magistrate.”
Quoting Sub Section (3) of the Law, the statement directed that, an officer in charge of a police station or official in charge of an agency authorized to make an arrest shall make available to the visiting Chief Magistrate or designated Magistrate exercising his powers under subsection (1) of this section: “the full record of arrest and record of bail; applications and decisions on bail within the period; and any other facility the Magistrate requires to exercise his powers under that Sub Section.”
READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanu says his life in danger in DSS detention
The statement also warned of sanctions awaiting any officer found wanting in the discharge of his duty as directed by Sub Section (4) which stated clearly that: “where there is Default by an officer in charge of a police station or official in charge of an agency authorized to make an arrest to comply with the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, the default shall be treated as a misconduct and shall be dealt with in accordance with the relevant Police Regulation under the Police Act, or pursuant to any other disciplinary procedure prescribed by any provision regulating the conduct of the officer or official of the agency.”
The message to the Kano State Commissioner of Police, therefore, concluded with Sub Section (5) of the Law that says: “where the police authority refuses to comply with the provision of subsection (4) of this section, any other body or person may make such report to the Justice Sector Reform Team,” for appropriate step to be taken.
