FCT CP Warns Against Holding Suspects Beyond 24 Hours

• FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth Igweh, warned officers against holding suspects beyond 24 hours without a court warrant.
• Igweh emphasized the importance of adhering to constitutional limits on detention and respecting due process.
• The warning reflects a shift towards stricter adherence to human rights standards in Nigerian law enforcement.
• Compliance with constitutional limits may lead to increased scrutiny of police practices and potential liability for non-compliance.

If you have somebody that you got detained beyond 24 hours, get a warrant for such person. Quickly tidy up your cases, make sure your case files are well vetted.

The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Benneth Igweh, has issued a stern warning to officers under his command against holding suspects in custody beyond the constitutionally permitted 24 hours. This warning was given during a video address to officers on standard procedures for handling suspects and case files. According to Igweh, any officer who needs to hold a suspect beyond 24 hours must obtain a court warrant authorizing the extended detention.

The FCT Commissioner's warning is rooted in Nigeria's constitutional framework, which sets a 24-hour limit for detaining suspects without a court warrant. This provision is enshrined in the country's constitution and is intended to prevent arbitrary detention and ensure that suspects are treated fairly and humanely. The commissioner's emphasis on adhering to this limit reflects a commitment to upholding due process and respecting the rights of suspects.

The FCT Commissioner's warning has significant implications for police practices in Nigeria. By emphasizing the importance of complying with constitutional limits on detention, Igweh is signaling a shift towards stricter adherence to due process and human rights standards. This may lead to increased scrutiny of police practices and potential liability for non-compliance. Lawyers and compliance officers should take note that this development reflects a growing trend towards greater accountability in law enforcement.

Lawyers and compliance officers should note that the FCT Commissioner's warning implies a shift towards stricter adherence to constitutional limits on detention, which may lead to increased scrutiny of police practices and potential liability for non-compliance.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers