By Christopher Oji
Stakeholders in narcotics and law enforcement have urged Operatives of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to always respect the rights of suspects.
The stakeholders comprising of retired NDLEA officers and legal practitioners, who were speaking at the 1st annual conference and retreat for senior officers of the NDLEA, Lagos Strategic Command, agreed that for any law enforcement agent to function well, the officer must acquaint self with the constitution and the agency’s Acts.
Speaking as a guest lecturer at the event, retired Deputy Controller General of Narcotics (DCGN) Abdul Momodu, said that he discovered that in the course of duty and law enforcement in the agency, most personnel in all enforcement agencies don’t know where their rights and that of the suspects that they are investigating starts and end.
Momodu, a legal practitioner, head of chambers, Cornerstone law chamber,said that most investigators in justice administration, mess up their cases because of violation of suspects’ human rights,” we have smart suspects,who will always look for loopholes during investigation, arrest and detention. And once the suspects is able to prove to the Judge that his or he rights were violated, he or she will be freed from the offence.
“As a law enforcement officer, you should be very careful on how you treat a suspect. You should understand that human rights are ineleanable. You must understand that you are not the person giving a suspect his or her human rights. It is given to him by the law and it is only the law that can strip him or her the rights to freedom. That is why officers should charge the matters to the court. You don’t detain a suspect more than necessary. If you have to detain a suspect more than 24 hours, you have to take detention order from the court. You must not slap a suspect. The worst sin an officer will commit is to starve his or her suspect. I am saying it unequivocally that it is a serious offence to keep a suspect without feeding him or her. If you don’t have food for a suspect, grant him bail.
“ Some officers reply their suspects with slaps when they ask questions. This is because,the officer is not armed with the constitution.Once you know what you are doing,you should be able to answer any questions from the suspects. That is why I am advocating that all officers involved in law enforcement, should read the constitution and the agency’s Act. If you are able to do so, and practice what you read,you won’t have problems in your job “.
Momodu highlighted the distinction between cells and prisons, noting that cells are meant for temporary detention, while prisons are designed for long-term incarceration. He emphasized that the law mandates law enforcement agencies to detain suspects for not more than 24 hours, with a maximum extension of 72 hours
.” I am optimistic that after this training,we should expect better service delivery from our officers. We expect better treatment of the people they have to arrest. It’s not a choice; it’s the law. You must enforce the law with dignity and integrity. Human rights must be respected”.
On his part, Segun Oke, also a retired DCGN, emphasized the importance of mentoring in law enforcement, saying that it would enhance the performance of law enforcement officers, increase their confidence levels, and improve their overall productivity.
Oke, who recently retired from the service after a distinguished career encouraged participants to adopt mentoring skills, emphasizing that it is a crucial tool for personal and professional development.
However, State Commander of the NDLEA, Lagos Strategic Command, A L Wali, charged officers to renew their commitment to protecting communities and ensuring a drug-free Nigeria.
He emphasized the importance of continuous growth and collaboration in tackling the complex challenges of drug law enforcement and community safety.
“This gathering provides a crucial opportunity for us to reflect on our achievements, contemplate our challenges, and renew our commitment to our noble mission,” he said.
“Over the next few days, participants will engage in comprehensive training sessions, workshops, and discussions designed to enhance operational effectiveness. I urge officers to strengthen their resolve. Together, let us protect our communities and ensure a drug-free Nigeria.”