Illegal detention everywhere -By Tope Akinyode Esq.

12th August, 2019

Mr. Muhammad Adamu, mni
The Inspector General of Police
The Nigeria Police Force Headquarters
Louis Edet House
FCT, Abuja
Nigeria.

Dear Mr. Adamu,

VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, THEFT OF PROPERTIES, UNLAWFUL ARRESTS AND HARASSMENT OF PROTESTERS BY THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE DURING THE “REVOLUTION NOW” PROTEST IN NIGERIA

Except you have issued a sure-word to police officers to illegally misconduct themselves under your watch–in which case, lawlessness may let loose across board-it has become of National urgency that you call your men to order immediately.

On 5th August, 2019, unharmed Nigerians organized themselves into a very peaceful assembly to protest against government policies in many parts of Nigeria under the Revolution-Now-Protest. Indeed, the protest, which received widespread media coverage, went on smoothly without any fracas, any violence, or record casualties until officers of your command stormed the scene to cause disorder.

As if in a war zone, police officers mobilized themselves into the scene of protest in their thousands; they shrouded tear gas everywhere, greatly brutalized demonstrators and even went extreme to drag harmless Nigerians on the floor in the most dehumanizing manner.

Records and reports of these awry scenes are there in the media archive of Nigeria as they remain facts which are incontrovertible. However, it is quite important that I draw your attention to specific particulars of illegality and gross misconduct (of such degree that human words cannot describe) which your officers have perpetrated in the following manner.

A 70-year-old elderly woman at Osogbo, Osun State Nigeria, who also is a hawker and goes by the name Sariyu Akanmu, was inflicted with great physical harm by police officers for partaking in the lawful protest. The officers hit the old-age with the butt of gun; kicked her several times, dragged her on the floor and then threw her into a police van afterwards.

Already, part of the woman’s body has become swollen and the money which she had on her; tied to her waist before the attack is stolen. In addition, your officer by the name; Adebayo Olawale sprayed tear gas on Journalists while 10 other protesters were arrested and brutishly hauled into police van all at Osogbo. Out of the 10 arrested, Olawale Adebayo is still in the detention of the State Security Service (SSS) at Osgobo.

In Lagos Nigeria, 3 different journalists were mercilessly beaten to stupor while blood oozed out from their bodies. The clamp-down on Journalists in Lagos was quite deliberate because, as soon as the victims identified as Journalists, your officers began the beating-party. The Journalists were not only severely beaten; they were further detained at the Panti Police Station, where they spent the night and received their worst treatments. In addition, 6 other Nigerian citizens were arrested, brutalized and detained summing into 9.

However, the most disappointing trend; similar to what happened at Osogbo, Osun State is the issue of illegally obtaining citizen properties by your officers. Two Journalists in Lagos – Elias Ozikpu and Banwo Olagookun’s phones were collected by your officers upon arrest. When granted bail, police officers are yet to produce the journalists phones till date, neither has the elderly woman at Osogboo, Osun State been able to find her money.

Under the 1999 constitution (as amended); which I should believe you are conversant with (because of your position) and by which Nigeria is governed, certain inalienable rights accrue to every Nigerians. Those rights which are guaranteed under Sections 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 and 46 of the Constitution are actually meant to be protected by officers of your establishment. During awful security conditions, citizens should expect your intervention.

However, the reverse has been the case. In recent times, some of your unguided officers have indiscriminately killed innocent Nigerians, battered citizens’ self esteem, aided illegality and have exhibited behaviors unworthy of a uniformed man.

Mind you, it is enough agony if your officers can not fulfill the mandate for which the Force but they should actually desist from perpetrating further lawlessness.

Against the foregoing, it may be helpful to caution your officers never to assault or intimidate lawful protesters again. Further, I advise you to intervene and ensure the culprit officers are dealt with and the valuables which they illegally collected are returned forthwith, otherwise we shall not hesitate to mobilize the full force of law in Court.

A stitch in time saves nine.
Thank you.

Tope Akinyode, Esq.
Constitutional Lawyer and Human Right Activist