May 28, 2023

…Calls for use of forensic science in criminal investigation instead of torture

The Justice development and Peace Centre, JDPC, Holy Family Catholic Church, Festac and Headfort Foundation have tasked members of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on upholding human rights as stipulated in the Police Act.

The groups also called on the Police to use forensic science in criminal investigation instead of torture.

In an opening remark at a one day seminar organised by the JDPC in collaboration with Headfort Foundation, for officers of the NPF, Festac Division, the Deanery Coordinator, Festac JDPC, Onyema Onyenakeya said the seminar was important to the groups as it will create room to understand the workings of the Police more.

He also noted that the Police has the duty by law to protect citizens and not harass them.

“We are here to reinforce what the police already know, you know what is human rights we all know what is human rights”.

Speaking on the role of the Police in upholding Human Rights, Oluyemi Orija Executive Director Headfort Foundation, said, “it is important for us to always come together like this and have conversation about how we are being policed and how the police is also doing the work that has been given to them by a statute which is the police act”.

Politicaleconomistng reports that the programme was tagged: My Rights, My Freedom.

“The police have a lot of rights a lot of duties as stipulated in the police act, you have the right to arrest, investigate and the right to do a lot of things in the bid to uphold human rights in the bid to protect lives and properties”.

“While at it you should ensure you do it as the act stipulates and according to the country’s constitution because my own understanding is that while we protect people and are trying to ensure that crime is not being committed then we should not commit crime in the process”, she said

Reporting by: Theresa Igata