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Don’t Let Police Search Your Phone, It’s Illegal — FCT Police Commissioner Tells Residents

Promise Odejide2 mins

The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ahmed Sanusi, has advised residents not to allow police officers to search their phones during routine arrests or stop-and-search operations, insisting that such actions are unlawful.

Phone Searches Are Illegal

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Monday, Sanusi said no police officer has the legal authority to demand access to a person’s phone on the road. He urged residents to raise an alarm immediately if any officer attempts to do so, assuring that the FCT Police Command would respond promptly.

“Don’t allow any police officers to search your phone and we’re saying this due to the abuse and extortive tendencies of some of our officers,” he said.

Only Lawful Investigations Permit Phone Searches

Sanusi explained that officers have already been directed not to search phones simply because they suspect someone of internet fraud.

“It has been instructed that nobody should search any phone, especially when you just arrest somebody on the road and you start searching the person’s phone, suspecting that he is an internet fraudster,” he said.

The police commissioner, however, clarified that a phone may be searched during a lawful investigation after a suspect has been properly arrested and taken to a police station.

“This does not negate the fact that phones are also being used to commit crime. But before such a thing can happen, the person must have committed the crime, must have been properly arrested and brought to the station. Then, when trying to uncover evidence, you can search to see whether the phone or other items were used to perpetrate the crime,” he added.

Residents Urged to Resist Illegal Demands

Sanusi stressed that stopping someone on the road and demanding to search their phone violates the law.

“If any policeman stops you on the road, according to the instructions of the Inspector-General of Police, which we are bound to obey to the last of it, don’t open your phone. Resist and ask other people to help you call the police. You will see our men there,” he said.

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