Stop parading criminal suspects, says Falana

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), on Tuesday called on law enforcement agencies to stop parading criminal suspects, describing the practice as illegal and unconstitutional.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Falana made the call at a news conference in Lagos.

He said a survey carried out by his firm showed that no fewer than 527 suspects were paraded for armed robbery and kidnapping by security agencies across the country in 2014.

According to him, the practice violates Section 36 of the Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Act.

He said: “Anybody who is arrested and charged to court is presumed innocent.

“By subjecting suspects to media trial before arraignment in a criminal court, the fundamental rights to fair hearing and dignity of their persons are infringed upon by the State.

“It is a very disturbing development.

“I am not supporting armed robbery or kidnapping.

“What I am simply saying is that suspects should be taken to court and prosecuted.

“For the 527 suspects paraded last year, let the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, tell us where they are being prosecuted.”

According to Falana, the unacceptable treatment of criminal suspects is limited to ordinary Nigerians, adding that elites arrested for alleged offences are not subjected to such humiliation.

Falana said such illegal practices had encouraged members of the public to arrest, torture and kill suspected criminals over spurious allegations.

He added that it was exposing the country to unwarranted ridicule before the international community.

He said the Federal Government wastes scarce resources paying judgment debts due to the actions of some lawless law enforcement officials.

Falana added: “In the circumstance, we are compelled to call on the IGP to warn law enforcement agencies to desist from illegal parade and the extra-judicial killing of criminal suspects without trial.

“We call on all Nigerians to report cases of extra-judicial killing of criminal suspects and other innocent people by law enforcement personnel and private individuals.”