Bar Ajulo Advocates Body-Worn Cameras by Security Personnel
Dr Kayode Ajulo, a Constitutional Lawyer has again demanded the compulsory use of body-worn cameras by security personnel and officers of law enforcement agencies in their engagements with the populace.
He added that stringent punishment should be melted to any defaulting officer in the country.
Ajulo said this in a letter to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday in Abuja following the approval of the body-worn cameras for law enforcement agencies in Lagos State by Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu, the Lagos State Governor.
Ajulo who had during the End SARS protests last year first advocated for the use of body camera by the Police and also promise to donate the first batch of the devices also maintained that “It is advised that the provisions of Nigeria Police (Establishment) Act, 2020, the Administration of Criminal Justice Law and the Administration Act, 2015 particularly Section 15 of the Act be amended”
“Also, any other enabling Acts should be amended to mandate compulsory use of body-worn cameras by security agencies in all their engagements with the civil populace,” he said.
He said that failure to wear the body-worn cameras by any of the security outfit should invalidate any investigations conducted involving the erring law enforcement agencies.
Ajulo said that he would lend his expertise and professionalism to ensure a safe, transparent and accountable Nigeria security framework using the instrumentality of the law.
He said that in policing equipment, body cameras or wearable cameras were essential in modern day policing, stating that they are used by law enforcement agents to record their interaction with the public.
“Aside being used to record crime, it is imperative to ensure police transparency and accountability which will ultimately check abuse of police and restore public confidence in their operations.
“This is etched on adequate legal framework by ensuring adequate codification of the compulsory use of body-worn cameras by security agencies both in Lagos State and in Nigeria at large,” he stated.
Ajulo said that the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and digitalisation of the activities of Law enforcements agencies might appear novel in our clime.
He added that the existing legal framework in Nigeria support the use of ICT in the conduct of Law Enforcement Agencies.
“For instance Section 15 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (2015) provides for electronic recording of statement of suspects in a Video Compact format,” he said.
By PRNigeria
