Yemis Izuora
The alleged escalating extra judicial killing of suspects by the Police is raising concern in government circle in Lagos state which is now seeking for immediate examination of the Police Act and refit the institution.
The state government also promoting the review of the country’s criminal justice system to pave way for adequate investigation and justice delivery.
Speaking at the public presentation of the reprinted “Lagos State Coroner’s Law 2015” and “Through The Lens Of The Media Part 2” a compilation of Media publications by the Network on Police Reform In Nigeria (NOPRIN) Mr. Pedro Lawal (SAN) the state Solicitor General lamented the brutal nature of enforcement in Nigeria.
Pedro who was represented by the Director, Advisory Services and Judicial Liaison, Mr. S.A Quadri explained that the Coroner law was intended to further put on check such acts of illegal killing of innocent Nigerians.
He said the state has significantly improved on its legal system and has afforded indigent citizens the opportunity to enjoy free legal services.
Pedro pointed out that the establishment of the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) and Citizens Mediation Center (CMC) was intended to offer such free services to residents of the state.
“The offices are now being spread across all local governments in the state to enable aggrieved person have easy access to justice free of charge,” he said.
The Solicitor General warned suspects in police custody not to succumb to torture by confessing crime they did not commit but should take advantage of the free legal services to obtain justice.
He noted that with the Coroner law in place, the government would now put in check un-necessary waste of human lives by law enforcement agents.
Speaking also, the National Co-ordinator of NOPRIN, Okechukwu Nwanguma said the alleged attrocious act of the police has caused pain to many families who have suffered loss of their cherished ones.
Ms Rita Okoro, whose younger brother was arrested by Police in Lagos in January this year shared her experience at the event.
Okoro said the Police arrested her brother on allegation that he was in possession of AK47 riffle belonging to the force, but later claimed he was an informant to kidnappers.
She said all efforts to locate the brother till date has proved futile as the Police claimed the case has been transferred to Abuja.
In tears she said the Police was yet to provide information as to whereabout of her brother.