Section 48 Nigeria Police Act

Section 48 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020 is about Power to search. It is under Part VII (Powers of Police Officers) of the Act. It provides as follows:

(1) A police officer may seize and retain anything for which a search has been authorised.

(2) In every case in which property is seized under this section, the person on whose premises it was at the time of seizure or the person from whom it was taken, if other than the person on whose premises it was, may be summoned or arrested and brought before a court to account for his possession of the property, and the court shall make such order on the disposal of the property and may award costs as the justice of the case may require.

(3) An authority under subsection (2) may only be given when the premises to be searched are, or within the preceding twelve months have been, in the occupation of any person who has been convicted of receiving stolen property or of harbouring thieves, or of any offence involving fraud or dishonesty, and punishable by imprisonment.

(4) While searching the premises, a police officer shall not violate the human rights of persons found in the premises that is being searched.