The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has warned its personnel against meddling in debt recovery for members of the public in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
Mr Aminu Alilu, Director of Legal Services, NSCDC National Headquarters, gave the warning during a one-day capacity-building workshop for personnel of Akwa Ibom Command of the Corps.
This is contained in a statement by the command's Public Relations Officer, SC Friday Ekerete, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Uyo on Friday night.
Alilu said that debt recovery was not the core mandate of the corps as enshrined in the ACJA, 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 the Act required camera recording of arrest and interrogation proceedings.
”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.
The commandant said that building a well-trained workforce would add value to public service, as it would benefit the general public through improved and professional service.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was for management staff, area commanders, divisional officers, units/departments that effect arrest and conduct investigations.
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