Section 44 Nigeria Police Act

Section 44 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020 is about Recording of arrests. It is under Part VII (Powers of Police Officers) of the Act. It provides as follows:

(1) Where a suspect is arrested, whether with or without a warrant, and taken to a police station or any other agency effecting the arrest, the police officer making the arrest or the officer in charge shall cause to be taken immediately, in the prescribed form, the following record of the suspect arrested-

(a) the alleged offence ;
(b) the date and circumstances of his arrest ;
(c) his full name, occupation and residential address ; and

(d) for the purpose of identification-
(i) his height,
(ii) his photograph,
(iii) his full fingerprint impressions, or
(iv) such other means of his identification.

(2) The process of recording in subsection (1) shall be concluded within a reasonable time of the arrest of the suspect, but not exceeding 48 hours.

(3) Any further action in respect of the suspect arrested under subsection (1) shall be entered in the record of arrests.

(4) Where a suspect who is arrested, with or without a warrant, volunteers to make a confessional statement, the police officer shall ensure that the making and taking of the statement shall be in writing and may be recorded electronically on a retrievable video or audio visual means.

(5) Notwithstanding the provision of subsection (4), an oral confession of arrested suspect is admissible in evidence.