The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Mr Sulaiman Balarabe, has said that the command will strictly enforce the law, which provides that ‘bail is free’ in order to regain the public confidence.
Balarabe said this on Wednesday in Enugu while delivering a lecture at a symposium organised by the Nigerian Law School Students’ Representative Council.
He warned police operatives against detaining suspects unduly over bailable offences without arraigning them.
He said that the law provides that bail is free, hence “police officers should not see themselves to be above the law.
“They are to enforce the law and must always ensure that their promise to the public that bail is free is strictly adhered to.
“Keeping suspects unduly long in police cell before arraignment should stop.”
The police boss, who was represented at the lecture by the Officer-in-Charge Legal, Mr Paschal Nwachukwu, spoke on “Security and Human Rights: The role of the Bar, Bench and the Police.”
He said that both the police and judiciary had the constitutional roles to ensure due respect for the fundamental rights of citizens.
Balarabe said that the two institutions needed to collaborate to protect the rights of people.
He said that the police and judiciary needed to ensure that issues of security and rights violations were taken care of and provide remediation justice, when such violations occurred.
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He warned police officers against the abuse of power or be prepared to face discipline.
According to him, police authorities will not hesitate to hold officers accountable for lapses or poor service delivery, especially in the misuse of firearms.
Balarabe said that it was not enough for Nigeria to ratify the Africa Charter on Human and Peoples Rights but must ensure its implementation.
Earlier, Mr Felix Uzoma, the President of the council, said that the symposium was part of the activities lined up for the students’ week celebration.
Uzoma said that the week would afford the students the opportunity to take some time out of their academic schedule to recreate.
He commended the management of the institution for providing an enabling environment for academic activities to thrive.