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From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
Kano State Commissioner of Police Mohammed Usaini Gumel, on Tuesday, renewed his firm directive that no suspect should be held beyond 48 hours in their custody without granted bail or without being charged to court. .
He also reiterated his charge that bail is free while urging officers to always ensure the rights of suspects under their charge.
Gumel, in the company of officials from the Correctional Centre, the National Human Rights Commission, the judiciary, Office of the state Attorney General, and the Civil Society Organizations, stated this during a working visit to formations in the metropolis.
He said his unscheduled visit was in line with the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme (PDSS) launched last December.
According to him, “All sectors of the society would want to see what the police are doing in terms of access to justice. There was a marching order by the Inspector General of Police for all Commissioners of Police to launch the PDSS to ensure fundamental human rights, access to justice and free legal services.
“We are determined to make the practical aspect of the PDSS. We have moved round a number of police stations within the metropolis. We saw the detainees and interacted with them.
“We went to Zango police division, Fagge police division, Sharada police division, and the Correctional Centre at Janguza. We toured the facilities there, including the Court inside the Correctional Centre handling special cases.
“Our intention is to keep visiting all the police stations. The visit is unscheduled . We did not inform them that we were coming, because we want to see things for ourselves.
” During the visits, I drummed it into the ears of the DPOs that bail is free as long as the suspect fulfils all the bail conditions. I also informed them that detainees are not supposed to stay more than 48 hours in the cell without bail or charging them to court.”
