No law prohibits the use of handcuffs to restrain a suspect – Nigerian Police lawyers rep

The Nigerian Police Force has said that there is no law prohibiting the force from the use of handcuffs to restrain a suspect, particularly one that has shown acts of violence. 

The Head of Chambers of the Nigeria Police, DCP Simon Lough, stated this in a statement released on Thursday, May 18.

 Lough released the statement while reacting to claims made by counsel to embattled Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, on Tuesday, May 16,  faulting the decision of the police to take the singer's photos while in handcuff and share them online.

Olumide-Fusika in his statement said that the process was illegal, as it constitutes a violation of the Administration of Criminal Justice law. The lawyer argued that taking Seun's photos and posting them online violates section 9 of the Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, which has prohibited any form of parade of criminal suspects in Nigeria in Lagos State.

Lough, however, argued that no law prohibits the police from use of handcuffs on suspects especially one that has shown acts of violence. Lough also stated that section 10(4) of Administration of Criminal Justice Law  of Lagos State allows the taking of photographs of suspects arrested for identification and record purpose and that Seun Kuti was not paraded as erroneously alleged by his lawyers. 

Read his statement below

‘’It has become imperative to correct some misrepresentations being circulated on social media solely to garner sympathy from the public and to divert attention from the fact in issue. 

First of all, there is no law that prohibits the use of  handcuffs to restrain a suspect especially a suspect that has shown tendency of violence like Seun Kuti that has already shown act of violence by attacking and slapping a police officer in uniform and even threatened his wife in the process. 

Secondly, section 10(4) of Administration of Criminal Justice Law  of Lagos State allows the taking of photographs of suspects arrested for identification and record purpose. Seun Kuti was not paraded as erroneously alleged by his lawyers. It was his photograph, fingerprints, name and address that were taken as provided for in the law. The Nigeria Police hereby assures the public and all law abiding  Nigerians that the Force will not engage in media trial of the case but would carryout investigation in line with the law, professionalism and international best practices. 

The Nigeria Police equally appeals  to the defence team of Seun Kuti to desist from engaging in media trial/defence of their client and allow the judicial process take its full course. The Nigeria Police reiterate its adherence to the rule of law and the protection of rights and liberties of the citizens.

DCP SIMON LOUGH, SAN

Head of Chambers,

Nigeria Police Force''