MAINTAINING his vow to tackle official corruption within the rank and file of the organization he now heads, police Inspector-General Mohammed Abubakar has commenced efforts to decongest detention cells across Nigeria, putting in place a committee that would end arbitrary or prolonged detention of citizens.
The committee has the mandate of the IGP to visit police cells across the country and ensure that no one is arbitrarily detained by the force, ensure that detention conforms with existing laws, ensure bail conditions are in line with statutory requirements and detainees are conversant with their rights, even while in detention.
The committee is also to ensure that appropriate records are maintained regarding detention and bail, that persons legitimately remanded in police custody pending conclusive investigation of cases are not made to undergo inhuman treatment and that police officers undergoing administrative disciplinary procedures are detained separately and never, under any circumstances, with criminal suspects.
Besides, the committee is to recommend measures towards timely sanitisation of cells while improving on the general facility and condition of police cells across the country. The anti-corruption committee set by the police boss is to fight corruption and all corrupt practices within the Nigeria Police as well as checkmate activities of officers and men that are contrary to established standards and procedures amongst others.