VIDEO: Stop holding suspects beyond 24 hours, says FCT CP

n n

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Sanusi, has warned officers against keeping suspects in custody beyond the constitutionally permitted 24 hours.

n

Sanusi gave the warning in a video shared by TV Platinum, via X.com, on Wednesday, where he addressed officers under the command on standard procedures for handling suspects and case files.

n

He said any officer who needed to hold a suspect beyond 24 hours must obtain a court warrant authorising the extended detention.

n

“Avoid prolonged detention. If you have somebody that you got detained beyond 24 hours, get a warrant for such person. Quickly tidy up your cases, make sure your case files are well vetted,” Sanusi said.

n

The commissioner directed officers to record video evidence of confessional statements taken from suspects and complainants, depending on the sensitivity of a case, and to ensure detainees retain access to legal representation, family visits and medication while in custody.

n

He said suspects must be charged to court within a reasonable time, warning that holding them for days without concluding investigations reflected poorly on the officers involved.

n

“It does not show that you are working by clustering yourself with suspects. It only shows that you are not working, that you are stupid. Because how can you keep somebody five days, six days, you have not done anything, case file is not ready, you are not ready to charge the court, that means you are not working,” he said.

n

Sanusi added that failure to act promptly on cases amounted to gross irresponsibility, not evidence of thoroughness.

n

“So keeping them for too long doesn’t mean you are working; it doesn’t show that you are working; it just shows that you are grossly irresponsible. So I urge you to change; don’t allow us to force you to change,” he said.

n

The commissioner, however, pledged the command’s backing for officers who complied with due process, promising to shield them from intimidation while carrying out their duties.

n

“If you do these things, I believe we are good and we will continue to defend you, we won’t allow anybody who will hate you or touch you if you are doing the right thing. We will stand by you once you do the right thing,” Sanusi said.

n

He said the command would not tolerate any attempt to intimidate officers acting within the law, adding that such support was conditional on officers upholding proper procedure.

n

“We will not cheat you out, but make sure you don’t make us go to bed. You can only make us go to bed when you do the wrong thing. If you are doing the right thing, we won’t have to beg, we will proudly stand,” he said.

n

Watch Video Here:

n

𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝟐𝟒 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬, 𝐒𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐅𝐂𝐓 𝐂𝐏

Credit: X | TV Platinum

—
Follow us for more breaking news and videospic.twitter.com/qM9P0WstpT

— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch)

August 19, 2026

n

n n