26th May, 2010
Most police cells in Lagos State are now congested due to non arraignment of suspects in court as a result of the strike embarked upon by magistrates in Lagos State.
A visit to some police stations in the state revealed that police cells now accommodate more than double their actual capacity.
Investigations revealed that the crowded cells was as a result of the inability of the police to charge suspects to court for offences committed.
Divisional Police Officers in the state are now complaining as they try to decongest the cells to avoid an outbreak of epidemic. Fear of epidemic outbreak has led many DPOs to adopt measures to decongest the cells.
One of these is the release of suspects to responsible sureties who will ensure that they are provided anytime the police needed them. Another is the granting of bail to suspects after paying a specific amount of money and making peace with the parties.
Magistrates in Lagos State last week embarked on an indefinite strike to press home their demand for a better working conditions.
—Cyriacus Izuekwe