Section 70 Nigeria Police Act

Section 70 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020 is about Chief magistrate to visit police stations every month. It is under Part VII (Powers of Police Officers) of the Act. It provides as follows:

(1) The chief magistrate, or where there is no chief magistrate within the police division, any magistrate designated by the Chief Judge for that purpose, shall, at least every month, conduct an inspection of police stations or other places of detention within his territorial jurisdiction other than the prison.

(2) During a visit, the magistrate may-
(a) call for, and inspect, the record of arrests ;
(b) direct the arraignment of a suspect;
(c) where bail has been refused, grant bail to any suspect, where appropriate, if the offence for which the suspect is held is within the jurisdiction of the magistrate.

(3) An officer in charge of a police station or an official in charge of an agency authorised to make an arrest shall make available to the visiting chief magistrate or designated magistrate exercising his powers under subsection (1)-
(a) the full record of arrest and record of bail ;
(b) applications and decisions on bail made within the period ; and
(c) any other facility the magistrate requires to exercise his powers under that subsection.

(4) With respect to other Federal Government agencies authorised to make arrests, the High Court having jurisdiction shall visit such detention facilities for the purpose provided in this section.

(5) Where there is default by an officer in charge of a police station or an official in charge of an agency authorised to make arrest to comply with the provisions of subsection (3), the default shall be treated as a misconduct and shall be dealt with in accordance with the relevant police regulations under this Act, or under any other disciplinary procedure prescribed by any provision regulating the conduct of the officer or official of the agency.