Adekunle Ayobami

10 things you need to know about arrest and search: 1. Search in a premises or house can be conducted between 5:00 AM and 8:00 PM, except the court directs or authorises otherwise. 2. Arrest can be done at any time of the day or night. No time that an arrest cannot be effected. 3. An arrest can be done with or without warrant. It is not in all cases that an arrest must be done with warrant. There are at least 10 instances that an arrest can be done without a warrant. 4. An arrest of one person cannot be effected in place or in lieu of another person or for the purpose of luring another person to show up. 5. A private person has the right or power to arrest another person upon reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed, is likely to be committed or the person escapes from lawful custody. But the suspect must be handed over to the appropriate authority within reasonable tome. 6. A man cannot search a woman. A woman cannot search a man. Except there is no officer of the same gender to conduct the search. 7. The arresting officer must immediately inform the suspect of the reason for their arrest, unless they are caught in the actual commission of the crime. 8. A suspect must not be handcuffed, bound, or subjected to unnecessary restraint unless there is a reasonable risk of escape, violence, or for public safety or safety of the suspect. 9. To carry out an arrest or search of a person, access to a house or place cannot be obtained voluntarily. But where access is not granted, an officer may break open or destroy any outer or inner door or window of any house or place. 10. If the house or place is in the actual occupancy of a woman who by custom or religious practice does not appear in public, the officer must give notice to the woman that she is at liberty to withdraw before entering the premises.