The Commissioner of Police in Plateau state, Emmanuel Adesina, has vowed to punish officers who unlawfully search people’s mobile phones without following proper legal procedures.

He made this declaration on Wednesday in a statement signed by the Plateau state police public relations officer (PPRO), Alfred Alabo.

According to the statement, the police chief “vows that he will not treat matters of violation of human rights and other unethical practices by his men with levity.”

He stated that he had received reports about officers “forcefully gaining access to people’s phones in the name of investigation.”

He “directed all Divisional Police Officers, Tactical Team Commanders, Patrol and Guard officers, most especially the Anti-Cyber Crime Unit, to act in accordance with the Cyber Crime Prohibition and Prevention Act 2015, which mandates law enforcement officers to apply for ex parte orders from a judge in chambers for the power of arrest, and issuance of a warrant for the purpose of obtaining electronic evidence in relation to cyber crime investigations,” the statement read. 

While educating the public about the consequences of this constitutional breach, he advised them to report such misconduct within the state.

“He [the CP] insists that due process must be followed in discharging police duties to avoid abuse of constitutional powers,” the statement said. “Members of the public are therefore advised to report any misconduct by officers within the state,” it added.