President Buhari on September 16, 2020, signed the new Police Act 2020 into law and this replaced the old Police Act, CAP P.19, LFN, 2004.
Below are the highpoints of the new amendments that every Nigerian should be aware of:
1) Section 66(1) of the Police Act 2020, ONLY a Police Officer who is a LEGAL PRACTITIONER, can prosecute. Police Officer who is NOT a LEGAL PRACTITIONER cannot prosecute unlike the the Old Act that gave non-Police lawyers prosecutorial power.
2) Just like in the movies, Nigeria can now have private detectives who are not employed by the government. The Nigeria Police Force is responsible for vetting and approving the registration of Private Detective Schools and Private Investigative Outfits. See Sec. 4(i).
3) The Police is mandated to report the findings of its investigation to the Attorney General of the Federation or State as the case may be. See Sec. 32(1).
4) The Act prohibits the Police from arresting anyone based on a civil wrong or breach of contract. See Sec. 32(2).
5) The Act equally prohibits the arrest of any person in place of a suspect. See Sec. 36.
6) The Act makes it mandatory on the police officer or any other person authorized to effect an arrest to inform the suspect his rights to:
i. Remain silent or avoid answering any question until after consultation with a legal practitioner or any other person of his own choice. See Sec. 35(2)(a).
ii. Consult a legal practitioner of his own choice before making, endorsing or writing any statement or answering any question put to him after the arrest. See Sec. 35(2)(b)
iii. Free legal representation by the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria or other organizations where applicable. See Sec. 35(2)(c).
7) The Act also makes it mandatory on the Police to notify the next of kin or relative(s) of the suspect immediately after the arrest of the suspect. See Sec. 35(3).
8.) A suspect shall be accorded humane treatment. And a suspect shall not be subjected to torture, cruelty, inhumane or degrading treatment. See Sec. 37.
9) The statement of a suspect can be taken only when he wishes to make a statement. See sec. 60(1).
10) The statement, where the suspect wishes to make one, MAY be taken in the presence of a legal practitioner or any other person or organization of his own choice. See sec. 60(2).
11) Where a suspect is arrested and detained for more than 24 hours, if the offence he was arrested for is not a capital offence, his lawyer or relatives can notify any court that has jurisdiction to try the matter about his arrest. See sec. 64(1).
12) The notification can be made in writing or orally. See sec. 64(3).
The court SHALL order the production of the suspect and inquire into the matter. Where it is convinced that the suspect should be released on bail, the court shall admit him to bail.
13) The Police are mandated to take the photographs and fingerprint impressions of all suspects who are in lawful custody. See sec. 68(1).
14) Where a suspect refuses to allow the Police to take his measurements, photograph and fingerprint impressions, the Police have the right to apply to court to compel the suspect to submit himself. See sec. 68(2).
15) On the last working day of every month, an officer in charge of a police station must report to the nearest magistrates the cases of all arrests made without warrant in his jurisdiction, whether the suspect have been admitted to bail or not. See sec. 69(1).
KNOW YOUR RIGHT
