Concerned by the illegal detention and maltreatment of innocent people in police cells and formations in Ogun State, the State House of Assembly has called on the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to take steps to prevent innocent citizens from languishing in police detention. The lawmakers made the call at today’s plenary in their contributions to a motion moved by Hon. Olusola Sonuga and seconded by Hon. Bankole Akanbi on the house resolution number HR 023/2012 bordering on Illegal detention and maltreatment of innocent people in police cells and formations in the State as amended.
The assemblymen including the Majority Leader, Hon. Israel Jolaoso, the Minority Leader, Job Akintan, Honourables Olakunle Oluomo, Adijat Oladapo Adeleye, Victor Fasanya, and Babatunde Edunjobi called for adequate and effective administration of the justice system by relevant authorities, stressing that there was no gainsaying the fact that a lot of atrocities were being perpetrated through illegal detention of citizens.
They unanimously agreed that the fundamental human rights of the citizens across the nation were being trampled upon daily by the police and other security agencies, saying that that it was high time the commissioner of Police as well as relevant authorities conducted a regular check on police cells and formations in the State.
The lawmakers noted that the illegal detention of people is a national issue which must be tackled headlong through the on-going constitutional amendment, adding that administration of justice needed to be strengthened with a view to protecting the fundamental human rights of the people.
Opening debate on the motion earlier, Hon. Sonuga said there was an urgent need to curb detention of the people by the police as everyone remains innocent until proven guilty in the court of law. Drawing from personal experience, the lawmaker explained that the Police Commissioner as well other security agencies should pay an unscheduled visit to police formations in the State in order to look into records of those that are being detained illegally.
Passing the resolution, the Speaker, Rt Hon. Suraj Ishola Adekunbi expressed optimism that the implementation of the resolution by relevant authorities would further enhance quick dispensation of justice and help to check human rights abuse resulting from illegal detention and maltreatment of innocent citizens.
Via: Ogun State Government - Official Press Release
Illegal detention is never a good thing to happen to any citizen cos it's always fustrating and digusting. We have to stop it.