The Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) has condemned the unprofessional and criminal activities going on at the Ijaniki Police Division particularly the station’s alleged notorious preoccupation with arbitrary arrest, detention and maltreatment of young people usually labelled cultists, just with the motive of extorting bribe.
NOPRIN national coordinator, Okechukwu Nwanguma said in a statement on Tuesday that the earlier the police leadership checked the emerging danger the better for the state.
Nwanguma said: “It was the neglect to check similar excesses by the Anti-cultism Unit of the Lagos State Command that resulted to the tragic murder of Kolade Johnson about one week ago.
“Ijanikin police station has acquired notoriety for arresting young boys, accusing them of being cultists only to demand bribe for bail.
“The latest victim is Jeremiah Peters whose friend was arrested and detained at Ijaniki for allegedly being a cultist.
“Jeremiah went to the station to bail his friend and was also arrested and has been detained since Thursday.
“On Sunday, his mother went to the station to see him and was also arrested and detained.
“Following calls for the release of Jeremiah and his mother, the DPO CSP Abayomi Faniyi (0803 709 7297) and the IPO whose name was given as Mr. Lucky demanded 50,000 naira to release his mother without him. His mother was eventually released today.
“Following further pressure, the DPO has just asked Jeremiah Peters to write statement. How could the police keep someone in detention for 6 days without obtaining a statement?
“His mother went to the station and was driven away.
“NOPRIN condemns this gross abuse of legally established arrest and detention procedure. Both the Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act require that a suspect or an accused person shall upon arrest, be promptly informed of his/her offence or the reason for the arrest. Such a person shall also be informed of his/her rights under the law and shall be availed legal representation. Detention shall also not exceed the legally permissible duration of 24 hours or 48 hours.
“The DPO Ijaniki is superintending over the brazen circumvention of the law and gross abuse of citizens human rights. He should be sanctioned for these.
“NOPRIN calls on the CP Lagos to order the immediate release of Jeremiah Peters and others suffering similar abuse. A comprehensive audit of the activities of the DPO Ijaniki is warranted. Appropriate sanctions should be imposed.”