The Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi has frowned on the practice of Police officers filing false charges against suspects in court.
Justice Amadi expressed his displeasure during a courtesy call by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Mustspha Bala on Wednesday, November 13th,2024 .
The Rivers Chief Judge asserted that the practice of filing false charges by the Police against suspects has led to congestion of correctional centres.
“In Rivers state there is one issue that has really affected decongestion in our correctional centres, this issue of mass arrest and cultism.
“Someone steals a bag from a woman, no matchet, you arrest and charge him either for robbery or cultism, why not stealing.
“When I go for jail delivery, you find cases where a young boy steals handset of N200 for instance the owner of the handset has taken the handset, is no longer interested in coming to court,” Justice Amadi said.
The Rivers CJ pledged that the judiciary will continue to collaborate with the security agencies particularly the Police to curb crime and uphold justice.
Justice Amadi urged the Commissioner of Police to carefully select officers assigned to investigate of cases .
“It is not every Police officer that should be in investigation department. Assessing a Policeman you should be able to know which particular area the officer fits in.
“For a Policeman to be an investigator, he must elementary knowledge of law. At least like cautionary words, like how to effect arrest, recording of statement, etc.
“I don’t like a situation where a Policeman will arrest a suspect, because the Policeman is a graduate and the suspect is a school certificate holder, the Policeman will start recording the suspect’s statement. The Policeman should give the suspect the paper to record his statement by himself,” he stated.
The Chief Judge said the Rivers State Division now has 14 high court divisions including two new ones in Abua/Odual and Bonny Local Government Areas. Earlier, CP Bala stated that the essence of his visit to the Rivers CJ is to strengthen collaboration with the judiciary to ensure justice is effectively served.
