POLICE HAVE NO RIGHT TO SEARCH SUSPECT'S PHONES, PERSONAL DEVICES WITHOUT A WARRANT - DCP EWAH
The Nigeria Police Force has adviced Nigerians to desist from allowing Police Officers peruse their phones at checkpoints, expecially without a warrant to the effect.
This was made known by Deputy Commissioner (DCP), Bassey Ewah, yesterday at a question and answer section of a programme organised by the Police Relations Community Relations Committe in Lagos.
He said the Police have no constitutional right to search a suspects phone without a duely signed warrant. He said that would amount to an illegal invasion and a violation of citizens right to privacy.
He said: "I stand to be corrected; please do not give any Policeman who stopped you on the checkpoint your phones; it’s not our schedule. If we are investigating you, we will present a warrant and then demand for your phone. Please take note."
It is worthy of note that some Police Officers have been reported to randomly invade people's privacy, by going through their personal devices like phones and computers, under the guise of profiling fraudsters and internet scammers.
A legal practitioner, Ogunbiyi George explained to Eons intelligence that although it has been happening in Nigeria, it does not mean it is right. He said it is an illegality that must be nipped in the bud as soon as possible.
"This happens a lot. But it does not mean it is right. It is against the laws of Nigeria. We have had lots of complaints and even legal battles to the effects. Agreed, the Police needs to clampdown on internet fraudsters but the law still prefers for criminals to be roaming free than for innocents to be punished in the quest of searching for the criminals", he said.
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