WHAT YOU SHOULD NEVER SAY IN A POLICE STATEMENT
Let me tell you one truth that has saved many people from unnecessary wahala: your police statement can either save you or destroy you. A lot of Nigerians don’t know this the moment you enter a police station, you’re already in a legal setting.Every word you say can be used against you in court, even if you didn’t mean it that way. That’s why you must think before you write or speak. Here are a few things you should NEVER say in a police statement:
1. I was there but I didn’t do anything.That single line can turn you from a witness to a suspect. You just admitted presence at the scene of the crime. Lawyers call it implicating admission.
2. It was just a small fight. That small fight could legally be assault or affray depending on the damage done. Don’t minimize serious issues in your statement. 3. They told me to help them carry it.Carry what? You may have just admitted to handling stolen property or aiding a crime.
4. I don’t even know what I signed. That statement tells the court you made a voluntary confession. Ignorance is not an excuse under the law.
5. Never guess or assume. If you don’t know, simply say I am not sure or I cannot confirm. Don’t fill in blanks for the police. Remember, a police station is not a storytelling arena it’s a legal ground. If you ever find yourself there, ask to speak with your lawyer before you make any statement.That’s your right, not a privilege. Because as we say in pepper soup wisdom: The mouth wey talk carelessly inside police station fit talk explanation tire inside court. Madam Law
Na one simple truth fit save person from big trouble: wetin you tok for police station fit free you or tie you kpata-kpata.
Plenty Nigerians no sabi say as you just enter police station, you don enter law matter be that. Every single word wey you tok go fit use against you for court, even if say na normal tin you tink say you tok.
Na wetin make you must think well well before you write anytin or open your mouth.
Wetin You Must NEVER Talk for Police Statement
Make you listen well to the five things wey you must lock your mouth on when police dey take statement:
1. “I been dey there, but I no do anytin.”
Why E Bad: This one simple sentence fit change you from person wey just dey look to person wey police suspect. You don admit say you dey where the bad tin happen. Lawyer go call am say you don admit wetin fit trap you (implicating admission).
2. “Na small fight we just fight.”
Why E Bad: That “small fight” fit be big offense for law book, like assault or affray, depending on how person wound. Abeg, no try to tell police say serious issue na small tin.
3. “Dem tell me make I help dem carry am.”
Why E Bad: Carry wetin? You fit don admit say you hold stolen property or you help dem do the crime. Make you no use your hand put sand for your garri.
4. “I no even know wetin I sign.”
Why E Bad: This line go tell the court say you gree to write the statement yourself (voluntary confession). For law matter, you no fit say you no know. Ignorance no be excuse.
5. Never to guess or assume for statement.
Why E Bad: Police station no be where you go dey do story-story. If you no sure, just say: “I no sure” or “I no fit confirm wetin happen.” No try to dey fill space for police if you no know the koko.
The Koko Summary
Remember this one: police station na law ground, e no be your mama kitchen. If you ever find yourself there, make sure you demand to see your lawyer before you write or tok anything. Na your right, no be favour dem dey do you.
As dem dey yarn am for street: The mouth wey tok anyhow for inside police station, go dey beg for explanation tire inside court. So, shine your eye!