The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Federal Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Ikoyi, Lagos, Idowu Owohunwa, has stressed the need for police not to detain suspects beyond the legally approved period.
Owohunwa stated this during his visit to the Police Special Fraud Unit, which is one of the police formations under his watch, on Friday. He inspected the cells to see the number of detainees and the condition under which they were held.
A statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson for the department, ASP Aminat Mayegun, said Owohunwa, after the inspection and interaction with the suspects, was not comfortable with the number of days some of them had spent in the SFU cell.
He, therefore, cautioned the Commissioner of Police in charge of the unit against exceeding the period of detention.
Owohunwa emphasised the importance of consistent monitoring of the cell to prevent custodial violence.
Highlighting the necessity of respecting the rights of citizens in custody, the AIG stressed that his visit should serve as a reminder to police officers to ensure humane treatment and the fundamental rights of individuals in detention.
Owohunwa urged all sectional heads to take a proactive approach by routinely visiting the cell within their purview to ensure justice and the preservation of human rights.