PSC Won’t Condone Pre-Trial Detention, Says Arase

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr Solomon Arase, on Thursday, faulted what he described as pre-trial detentions as currently being witnessed among policemen.

He said the PSC under his leadership would no longer tolerate detentions beyond what the law provides for.

He also said the commission has set up a Compliance Monitoring Unit to ensure that the rights of citizens are protected and that offending police officers are sanctioned for misconduct.

A statement by the commission’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, quoted the PSC boss as speaking when two delegations from the United States of America and the United Kingdom visited him.

Arase was quoted as telling his guests that what Nigerians wanted was a responsible police force that respects human rights.

The statement read, “He (Arase) also told them that the PSC leadership and the authorities of the Nigeria Police are united in the fight to stamp out human rights abuses in the country.

“The PSC chairman further assured his visitors that there would be no conflict between the commission and the police management on the operations of CMU.

“He particularly frowned at pre-trial detentions by the police, noting that the commission will no longer tolerate detentions beyond what the law provides for.

“According to him, the commission wants to track complaints against the police, and any officer who has pending human rights cases will not be cleared for promotions or postings.”