The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen has reacted to multiple cases of police brutality of innocent citizens in the country.
Onnoghen in a memo titled “RE: THE ROLE OF MAGISTRATE IN CURBING POLICE BRUTALITY UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT” obtained exclusively by Newsclickng.com said he had observed and received several complaints of horrific Police brutality, inordinate arrests, detention and extortion of innocent Nigerians by police officers across the country.
According to Onnoghen, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) has given Magistrates oversight functions over police stations in their Jurisdictions.
The CJN, therefore directed all state chief magistrates to wake up to their responsibilities of ensuring the safety of Nigerians by visiting police stations in their jurisdictions at least once in a month.
Read the statement below:
