Justice on the Clock: Oversight Visit to Ushafa Police Station

In a continued effort to uphold the rule of law and ensure that police detention practices align with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the Asabe Waziri Justice Advocacy Initiative (AWJAI), in partnership with the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) and Citizens Gavel, conducted an oversight visit to Ushafa Police Station.

The visit was led by Her Worship, Magistrate Chiemena Nonye Okoronkwo, who engaged directly with the officers and detainees to assess compliance with legal detention standards.

At the time of the visit, five detainees were in custody, held for various offences including criminal conspiracy and misdemeanor, receiving stolen property, conspiracy, and armed robbery. Upon reviewing their cases, it was discovered that all five had exceeded the legally permitted detention period.

Magistrate Okoronkwo interviewed each detainee individually and issued a firm directive: they must be charged to court without further delay. She cautioned the officers on the dangers of prolonged detention and reminded them of their obligation to strictly adhere to the timelines set by law.

The team also met with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), AA Sambo, who received the Magistrate’s guidance with professionalism. The visit served as a reminder that justice delayed is justice denied and that every hour beyond the legal limit is a breach of rights.

AWJAI is committed to ensuring that everyone gets the justice they deserve irrespective of socio-economic background. By engaging directly with law enforcement officers, judicial authorities, and detainees, AWJAI not only identifies gaps in compliance but also fosters a culture of legal awareness and institutional responsibility.