The Lagos Police Command has given reason for a journalist who was arrested, tortured and detained for ‘moving at night’ in Akinpe Police Station, Bolade, Oshodi in Lagos.
Newsonline reports that Casmire Ozuruigbo, a reporter with Lagos Television, a state-owned channel was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Sunday for ‘moving at night’.
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong who disclosed this stated that Casmire was returning from Island to the Mainland when he was arrested by policemen at Oshodi.
Inibehe said the action of the police operatives was aginst Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of movement.
Inibehe Effiong, stated, “I have just received a distress call from a journalist and broadcaster, Mr. Casmir Ozuruigbo. He told me that he was arrested and tortured at about 12am this morning by policemen in Lagos for “moving at night”.
He added, “Casmir is a journalist and newscaster with Lagos Television. He is presently being detained at Akinpelu Police Station, Bolade, Oshodi. He managed to call me moments ago before his phone was seized from him.
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“I specifically asked him whether the policemen have disclosed his offense or the reason for his arrest and detention, he said they told him that he was arrested for “moving in the night”. The Constitution does not place a time limit on the right to freedom of movement.
“It is provocative that despite all the talks about police reform, we are still witnessing this level of abuse of police power and disdain for the fundamental rights of citizens. I call on the Lagos State Police Command to immediately release Casmir. This is one impunity too many.
“Casmir was returning from the Island to the Mainland when he was arrested by the police. The policemen also arrested some other persons on the road for the same flimsy reason of moving in the night. While some have been released, Casmir and two others are still in custody.
“The DPO is upset because Casmir refused to make a statement. How do you demand written statement from a citizen who has not been told what offense he has committed? They only allowed him to call me because he insisted on consulting me before deciding whether to make a statement.
In a reaction on Monday, the spokesman Lagos State Police Command, SP benjamin Hundeyin said the journalist failed to identify himself to the operatives that arrested him.
He further added that the law allows the police to arrest without warrant a person who cannot give good account of himself, stating that was the case with Casmir.
Benjamin said, “Firstly, he wasn’t arrested for ‘moving at night.’ That would be illegal. That area is prone to late-night muggings and phone snatching. Hence, the decision to do aggressive patrol and raiding after midnight.
“Secondly, the law allows the police to arrest without warrant a person who cannot give good account of himself. Mr Casmir Ozurigbo staunchly refused to identify or explain himself. A simple identification or explanation would have sufficed.”
The Lagos PPRO added that “All those that identified themselves satisfactorily were released immediately. All through the night till morning and then afternoon, Mr Casmir continued to refuse to give account of himself. He instead chose to start doing video recordings of the station with his phone.
“He was duly allowed to call his lawyer. And he was released immediately his lawyer called in to identify him as a gainfully employed person who closed late at work.
“Allegations of excesses on the part of the police officers are being looked into. Mr Casmir or/and his lawyers are free to follow up with the investigation.”
