The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, are facing a probe panel for their alleged roles in the congestion of custodial facilities across the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the panel investigating the alleged corruption and other violations in the Nigerian Correctional Service had been told that the police and the NDLEA contributed to prison congestion.
This was disclosed by the Secretary of the Panel, Dr. Uju Agomoh during media briefing at the ongoing second public hearing.
Dr. Agomoh, explained that the NPF faced accusations of detaining individuals beyond the constitutional limit without trial.
He noted that the police was also accused of arresting suspects without sufficient evidence. This is as they hold individuals without proper investigation
She said: “Section 43 of the NCoS Act was also brought to attention as it speaks to the notion of restorative justice applicable at the pre-trial stage.
“If the police are open to collaborating with the NCoS in relation to this, we can reflect on the recommendation of the panel.”
Agomoh, however, stated that there was a need for increased partnership between the NDLEA and the NCoS.
According to her, this should be in terms of ensuring that issues about treatment and rehabilitation of those who have drug issues and problems in correctional services were also being addressed.
Dr. Agomoh requested from the NDLEA all of the lists that included all the places of detention and the persons detained there.
“We have also requested from the police, indication of the designated capacities of those facilities, the total number of lockups, the disaggregation in terms of gender, age and charges, if possible,” she said.
A representative from the Police, Joshua Pandegh, stated that measures were being implemented to ensure that every police station had a lawyer assigned to assist with prosecutions.
On her submission, the Deputy Director, Prosecution and Legal Service, of NDLEA, Obiageli Iwuchukwu, said the anti-narcotic agency was proposing plea bargaining.
According to her, this would be a potential solution to alleviate congestion in the country’s custodial facilities. And also provide the panel with information about their detention centres.
Earlier, the panel Chair, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, pressed for clarification on who managed transfers. This is as she requested reports on allegations of fake certificates within the service. This, she said were part of complaints brought before the panel.
NAN reports that the panel requested detailed information about the number of police detention centres and detainees nationwide. This is as it emphasized the need for improved documentation and transparency.