The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fayoade Adegoke, has reportly said that it’s improper for a police officer to search a suspect’s mobile phone except in one situation.
This was contained in a statement the management of Melody FM, 107.7FM released and signed by one Kunle Babarinde where the statement was ascribed to Adegoke.
The Commissioner visited the station, according to the report, and the occasion said, “On the issue of searching phones, no policeman has the right to search your phone. If a policeman suspects anything on your phone, he will take you to the station to search the phone. We have a cyber department that deals with all that.”
The report also quoted him as saying, “If you feel you have been cheated by a policeman or a policeman engaged in corruption, kindly report the policeman to his DPO. If the DPO is not forthcoming, report to the Area Commander. I believe your case will be solved but if you still feel cheated, please report to me directly. My phone number is open to all Lagosians.
“No policeman has the right to beat citizens. You, the people, are the government’s employers; your taxes support us. Thus, we have to treat you with the appropriate decency.”
