The Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has warned its personnel against meddling in debt recovery for members of the public and also arresting one person in lieu of another.
It is very common nowadays to see officers of the Civil Defence following people to homes of people to recover debts while also arresting innocent family members when they are unable to see the person they want to arrest.
Mr Aminu Alilu, Director of Legal Services of the NSCDC National Headquarters, gave the warning during a one day capacity building workshop for personnel of Akwa Ibom Command of the corps.
Alilu said that debt recovery was not the core mandate of the corps as enshrined in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. adding that the Act also prohibited torture, cruelty, inhuman treatment and arrest in lieu.
The legal officer told personnel that the Act mandated electronic recording of confessional statements of suspects, stressing that it regulated arrest and respect for their fundamental rights.
He emphasised that camera recording of arrest and interrogation proceedings was mandatory under the Act.
”The ACJA 2015 is the Bible of every player in the criminal justice system. Officers, especially prosecution officers have to apply the law with a human face.
“Using cameras for recording of arrest and interrogation proceedings is mandatory under the Act.
“At least one member of every arresting squad must use a camera to record proceedings to guarantee transparency and provide credible video evidence which strengthens prosecution,” he said.
Alilu reminded officers that during interrogation, a suspect should be allowed to present either his lawyer, a Legal Aid Counsel, a Justice of the Peace, or a family member, in line with the Act.
He admonished investigators on proper evidence gathering, collation, preservation and choice of words, stressing that professionalism in investigation secured convictions.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr Jonathan Olariche, state Commandant of the corps, charged personnel to leverage the training and serve Nigerians with dignity and professionalism.
