The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, cautioned security agencies in the country against detaining suspects beyond the time allowed by law.
Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, specifically admonished security agents to always abide by the provisions of Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution in relation to the rights of suspects in their custody.
Chronicle NG reports that Section 35(3) provides that an arrested person has the constitutional right to be informed within 24 hours, in a language he understands, of the facts and grounds for his arrest and detention.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the yearly lecture of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), Fagbemi threatened to severely sanction any security agents found detaining suspects longer than the constitutionally permitted period.
His lecture revolved around ‘Governance, Security, and Human Rights’, which he claimed to be momentous as it addressed some of the most pressing issues facing the country today.
AGF said that law enforcement agents must do due diligence before arresting anyone, adding that situations where people are languishing in detention cells beyond the time allowed under the Constitution or by order of the courts will no longer be tolerated.
Fagbemi warned that appropriate sanctions would be meted out to those found guilty of unlawful detention.
According to him, the government of President Bola Tinubu will not condone any reprehensible action, and as the Chief Law Officer of the country, he will ensure no one tramples on the rights of another person.
The justice minister said, “I wish to remind our law enforcement agents that they must respect the laws of the land and not keep people in detention beyond a reasonable time as stipulated in Section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.
“Law enforcement agents must do due diligence before arresting anyone. Situations where people are languishing in detention cells beyond the time allowed under the constitution or by order of the courts will no longer be tolerated, and appropriate sanctions shall be meted out to those found guilty of contravening the laws of the land.
Fagbemi said, “the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not condone any reprehensible action, and as the chief law officer of this country, I will ensure no one tramples on the rights of another person.
“The collaboration of HURIWA in this endeavour cannot be overstated. Your tireless advocacy and public education are vital to the advancement of human rights in Nigeria.
“As we commemorate this 17th lecture series, let us renew our commitment to working together for a Nigeria where good governance, security, and human rights coexist harmoniously.
“Let us strive to create a society where every Nigerian can live free from fear and oppression, where their rights are respected, and where justice prevails, Fagbemi said.”
Ahead of the planned nationwide demonstration over economic hardship in the country, the military has warned organisers of the protest against any form of violence.
The police had also warned against violent protests in August.
