COVID-19: Lagos CJ Orders Courts Not To Remand Suspects In Prison

The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba has directed courts in the state not to remand any suspect in correctional facilities, except those charged with non-bailable offences.

The CJ gave the directive on Monday in a statement signed by the Chief Registrar D. T. Olatokun.

He said the directive is in line with a recent statement by the Inspector-General of Police directing policemen not to detain suspects in their cells except in cases of these high crimes.

Alogba in his directive said that all courts handling criminal matters in the state to reject any police application seeking to remand suspects for bailable offences.

The CJ therefore authorised courts to grant remand orders only in cases of serious crimes such as terrorism, murder or armed robbery and other non-bailable offences.

“The directive shall continue for an initial period of 14 days or until further directive is issued,” said the CJ.

Alogba further ordered in another statement signed by Ms Olatokun that all criminal cases at Magistrates’ Courts should be handled at the headquarters of each magisterial division.