The Nigeria Police Force is committed to operating within the bounds of the law and promoting a culture of respect for human rights among its personnel.
IGP Reaffirms Ban On Public Parade– It has been reaffirmed by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, that the Nigeria Police Force is not to parade suspects in public.
This assertion was confirmed on March 11 by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, officer of the Force Public Relations, at the headquarters of the Force in Abuja. The statement was titled “Fundamental RIght: IGP Reiterates Ban on Public Parade of suspects, reassure of Adequate protection for Rights.”
According to the directive, which was earlier transmitted to all commands and zones within the police force, the Nigeria Police Force is committed to preserving the fundamental rights of all individuals, including those who are suspected of engaging in criminal behaviour.
The statement read, “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has reiterated the ban on the public parade of suspects by the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
“This commitment by the IGP aims to uphold the fundamental human rights of every citizen and adhere to global best practices in policing by reiterating the standing directive prohibiting the public parade of criminal suspects before formal charges are filed in a court of law.
“This directive, previously communicated to all commands and zones within the Police Force, is a cornerstone of the Nigeria Police Force’s modernization efforts and reflects its dedication to respecting the fundamental rights of all individuals, including those suspected of criminal activity.
“The IGP emphasized that this policy is aligned with international human rights standards, which prioritize the protection and preservation of the dignity and rights of individuals throughout the judicial process.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to operating within the bounds of the law and promoting a culture of respect for human rights among its personnel.
“The IGP seeks the understanding and cooperation of the public, particularly members of the media, in adhering to this directive.
“Responsible reporting and adherence to ethical journalistic practices are vital in maintaining public trust and ensuring a fair and impartial justice system that respects the rights and dignity of all individuals.”
The public parade of criminal suspects has previously been ordered by Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi to cease by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The decree, which came into effect on February 16, signals a significant shift in national law enforcement practices.
A joint briefing was held by the National Cyber Crime Centre’s Commissioner of Police and the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer to confirm the development, with no suspects presented.
The regular procession had been ordered by the AGF, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) had made sure that journalists were notified of this.
Using this innovative approach, we may share a list of suspects and the details of their arrests without exposing any people to the public.
Parading detainees is an unlawful and discriminatory practice, according to human rights lawyer Femi Falana, who welcomed the action.
It was brought to his attention that while individuals who are suspected of committing petty offences like as stealing a phone are frequently paraded, politically exposed individuals who are embroiled in large-scale corruption are typically not subjected to such public exposure.
Falana said, “The public parade of suspects violates the fundamental right to the presumption of innocence guaranteed by Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“There are five judgments from both the ECOWAS Court and Federal High Courts affirming that the parade of suspects is unlawful.”
Another top lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, praised the ruling, underlining the permanent damage defendants’ reputations often suffer.
“The parade of suspects has persisted for far too long, causing permanent reputational damage to individuals who are later found innocent.”
“If the Police have a solid case, they should present it in court, not parade individuals as criminals before trial. Even when suspects are acquitted, the public often remembers the parade, not the acquittal,” he added.