At a glance

Quick answer: Reply through a lawyer, fix a clear date and station, attend with counsel, and say little until you understand the allegation.

• Your rights: Liberty and due process (Constitution ss. 35, 36); to remain silent and consult a lawyer; to be informed of the reason for arrest if it occurs; to bail where the offence is bailable. Police say bail is free.
• Deadlines that matter: If arrested, charge must follow within a reasonable time: 24 hours if a court sits within 40 km; otherwise 48 hours (s.35(4)–(5)).
• Who to call: Your lawyer. If things go wrong, Legal Aid Council, NHRC, or your state’s OPD can help.

Step-by-step

1. Do not ignore the invitation. Acknowledge and route it through your lawyer.
2. Send a lawyered response. Ask for the station/unit, the IPO’s name and phone, the file number, and the nature of the complaint. Request a mutually convenient date and time.
3. Fix logistics before you go. Share your plan with a trusted person, set a check‑in time, and attend in daylight if possible.
4. Go with a lawyer. Let counsel speak first and frame the visit as voluntary attendance.
5. On arrival, check the basics. Confirm the IPO’s identity. Note the date, time, and station diary entry if possible.
6. Ask early: “Am I under arrest or free to go?” If you are not under arrest, you can leave after reasonable cooperation.
7. Control your statement. Do not give a written or recorded statement without your lawyer. If you speak, keep it brief and factual. Read any statement line by line before signing and insist on a copy.
8. Protect your devices. Do not surrender phones or passwords without a proper legal basis. Your lawyer should review any search request and insist on due process.
9. Avoid cash talk. Do not pay for “bail” or “fuel.” Bail is free. Let your lawyer handle any payment discussions.
10. Leave a paper trail. Keep the invitation letter or a clear photo. Record officer details. Email a short attendance note to yourself and your lawyer.

If it escalates

• Detention: Ask to call your lawyer and family. Ask again: “Am I under arrest? For what offence?” Your lawyer should push for bail and enforce the 24/48‑hour rule.
• Confession pressure: You can stay silent. You can refuse to sign. Ask for your lawyer.
• Device or data demands: Your lawyer should insist on lawful process and narrow scope. Resist overbroad “fishing.”

Evidence & documents to keep

• The invitation letter or a clear photo.
• Officer and IPO names, ranks, phone numbers.
• Date and time stamps of calls, texts, or emails.
• Any written statements you gave.
• Names and contacts of anyone present.

Agencies & contacts

Common mistakes to avoid

• Going alone.
• Volunteering long stories without understanding the allegation.
• Signing a statement you did not read fully.
• Handing over devices or data without proper legal grounds.
• Paying bribes or “bail fees.”

Costs & penalties (what to expect)

• If you ignore an invitation: Police may escalate to arrest or seek a warrant.
• If detained: You may need sureties for bail. Do not pay fees to officers.

When to call a lawyer immediately

• Before you reply to the invitation.
• If asked for a written or recorded statement.
• If they hint at arrest or refuse to let you leave.
• If they request your phone, laptop, or passwords.
• If the case involves a serious offence or a regulator.

Copy-and-paste scripts

At the station:
“Officer, good afternoon. My name is [Name]. Am I under arrest or free to go?
I will cooperate within the law. I wish to speak with my lawyer before answering questions.”

Replying to the invitation (email/letter):
“Dear [Rank/Name],
We acknowledge your invitation dated [date] concerning [subject]. Our client is willing to attend at [station/unit] on [date, time], accompanied by counsel. Kindly confirm the IPO’s name and contact, the file number, and whether any documents are required.
Regards,
[Your Lawyer’s Name], Esq.”

FAQs

Do I have to go if it’s “just a chat”? Treat it as formal. Go through your lawyer. If you refuse entirely, they may escalate.

Can police hold me overnight? Only if you are arrested on suspicion of a crime. Even then, charge must follow within a reasonable time. The Constitution sets 24 or 48 hours depending on distance to a court.

Can I record the interview? Ask first. Some units allow recordings or insist on written statements. Your lawyer can request a recorded session or insist on safe procedures.

Disclaimer

General information, not legal advice. If you are in immediate danger, call the emergency number 112. For tailored help, contact 1st Attorneys.

Updated: 24 Sept 2025 • Region: Nigeria • Series: What To Do