The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has charged police officers across the country to ensure detainees under their custody have easy access to their rights, as enshrined in the constitution.
Mr. Idris, had while launching the Police Duty Solicitors’ Scheme in Abuja, said the initiative was borne from his administration’s readiness to ensure an efficient criminal justice system, with emphasis on the rights of persons arrested and detained by the Police to easily access legal representation.
“On my assumption of office as the Inspector-General of Police, I stated in very clear terms, that this Police administration under my leadership will operate within the mantra of the rule of law and respect the rights of all Nigerians, irrespective of religion, ethnic, social or political inclinations while performing our constitutional duties of protecting lives and property.
“The launching today of the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme is a manifestation of my commitment to deliver on my promise to the government and good people of Nigeria to operate within the mantra of the rule of law.
“The Police Duty Solicitors’ Scheme is a tripartite scheme comprising of the Nigeria Police, the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria and the Open Society Justice Initiative.
“The scheme will guarantee lawyers engaged by the Legal Aid Council access to persons arrested and detained in the Police Stations across the country to offer them free legal representation. This will reduce, if not eliminate the usual allegation of prolonged detention, torture, and extortion at Police formations across the country,” he added.