11th May, 2016
Two members of NBA in Ikorodu who levelled this charge against the police urged the authorities to address the issue of falsification of the ages of minors by the police, to enable their prosecution.
One of the lawyers, Miss Christy Elekwachi, said that it amounted to gross violation of the criminal justice procedure and the rule of law to tinker with the age of a suspect.
She said that it was anti-society for the police to arraign any suspect without thoroughly investigating the allegations against him or her.
“Many times, we lawyers are amazed with the contents in some Charge sheets.
“The very common uncertainties are to find the ages of accused persons increased deliberately, to fast-track their prosecution and file bogus charges against them.
“Policemen who indulge in these acts of maladministration are enemies of our development and progress as a people,’’ she said.
Elekwachi added that Police prosecutors that encourage illegalities just to get judgment against accused persons should face a court martial and be publicly disgraced.
“An injury to one under the law is an injury to all of us and where innocent persons are condemned because of the manipulation of the police will only breed mass anger and disgust.
“These official corrupt acts are what defile our pursuit of a sane society,’’ she said.
Similarly, Mr Adekunle Adekoya, alleged that there were many miscarriages of justice going on in Nigeria with the police being a major contributor to such misadventures.
“From experience, the police bring many criminal cases before our magistrate courts where the complainant refuses to appear or has indicated interest not to pursue the matter beyond the Police Station level.
“There is also the poor handling of evidence or even criminal charges against persons with no evidence to prove such.
“We have also noticed that sometimes, charges are `cooked’ up against a defendant in connivance with a complainant,’’ he alleged.
Adekoya, therefore, urged the police authorities to use certified lawyers to constitute their prosecution teams, to ensure proper adherence to prosecutorial procedures.
“I strongly hold that these wrongful conducts by some policemen in a bid to secure our society will not flourish if trained lawyers made up their prosecution units,’’ he said.
In a swift reaction, Corporal Mary Ajiteru, the Police Prosecutor attached to the Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court III, said that the Nigeria Police operate in accordance with the law, not contrary to it.
“The law is a protector of all – the accused inclusive — and provides remedy for any wrongful conduct on our part.
“Those making such claims against the investigative and prosecutorial processes of the police should show more concern about the harsh and unfriendly environment under which we work,’’ she said.
Ajiteru, however, said that such observations were helpful to assist the police to identify areas it needed to improve on, to deliver effective and efficient policing.