The Nigerian Police Doesn’t Have Any Power In Law To Ban The Slogan “No Gree For Anybody” -By Shuaibu Bashir Mukaddam

INTRODUCTION;

During the ending of the year 2023 before 2024 begins there was a slogan that was trending on all social media platforms the slogan is “in 2024 no gree for anybody” this slogan has been used upto 2024 it’s so used that it’s hard you scroll on social media for 15 Minutes without seeing the slogan.

Earlier this week the Nigerian police force shared a press statement regarding the 2024 slogan, “No Gree for Anybody.” The Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi issued a warning, stating that the slogan might cause the nation’s law and order to collapse. He went further to say “We have been informed from our intelligence that this slogan is coming from a revolutionary sector that may likely cause problems across the country.”

Since then the Nigerian police declared that it has banned the use of the slogan nation wide. This resulted in alot of controversies where some side are commending the efforts of the police and mostly all condemning it and claiming that the police has acted outside their powers. I Humbly opine that the position of the law is clear that the police is bereft of the power to ban the slogan “no gree for anybody”.

PRINCIPLE;
The Nigerian police force was established by s214 under chapter vi of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria as amended and gorverned under the police act 2020 specifically S4 of the said act which governs the functions of the police officers. The court of law in Nigeria in a plethora of judicial authorities has interpreted the provisions of S4 of the police act included but not limited to IGP & ANOR v. UBAH & ORS (2014) LPELR CA/L/199A/2013 where the court held that;

“The police are statutorily empowered by section 4 of the Police Act in these words – “The Police shall be employed for the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property….”

Also The Supreme Court held in KURE v. C.O.P. (2020) 9 NWLR Pt. 1729 Pg. 296 at 326 paras. B-G on the primary duty of the Police thus: “The primary duty of the Police by section 4 of the Police Act is the prevention of crime, investigation and detection of crime and the prosecution of offenders. See Ibiyeye v. Gold (2012) All FWLR (Pt. 659) 1074.

From a clear reading of the aforementioned authorities it’s clear that the powers of the police is only in the prevention of crime and enforcement of law and order being an agency established under chapter vi (executive chapter) of the constitution. Their duty doesn’t include prohibition as they’re only to enforce as law enforcement agencies. The only authorities with the authorization to declare an act unlawful are the legislature and the judiciary placing reliance on s4(1) and s6(1) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

The police are only authorized to deal with a crime, what’s a crime? From the clear and express reading of s2 of the criminal code act (applicable in southern states) and s28 penal code laws (applicable in northern states) a crime (hereby called offence under this acts) is any act which contradicts these acts or any other act in Nigeria which renders the violator liable for punishment under these acts or any other acts in Nigeria.

From what’s aforementioned it’s clear that the slogan “no gree for anybody” isn’t a crime under any law in Nigeria. But some may opine that it’s a crime under public nuisance or threat to public peace but this isn’t right placing reliance on S2 defamatory and offensive publications act which provides that for a statement or publication to qualify as a threat to public peace it must target a specific community or people in the society and the statement must be provocative but in the present scenario nobody is targeted and the slogan is usually used for entertainment and it doesn’t serve as a provocation to anybody. Also the condition that qualifies an act to qualify as public nuisance as cited in the case of EHIKHAMETALO v. IYARE & ANOR (2014) LPELR-CA/B/72/2011 is that they must be an inconvenience suffered by the public but in the present situation there’s no any inconvenience suffered by anyone from the use of this slogan.
We’re all not unaware of s36(12) of the 1999 constitution as amended which provides; “subject as otherwise provided by this Constitution, a person shall not be convicted of a criminal offence unless that offence is defined and the penalty therefore is prescribed in a written law”. And it’s clear and trite that the slogan “no dey gree for anybody” doesn’t fall within any provisions of this.

CONCLUSION;
It’s clear that there’s no provisions of law and the police force lacks all power to ban the use of the slogan “no gree for anybody” we’re of full assurance that this slogan isn’t coming from any revolutionary aspect as it’s a slogan that empowers youth to work hard and Archive more than what they archived in 2023 it means don’t agree for anyone to Archive more than you in 2024. However if the police officers are of the opinion that this statement will prejudice public peace they should do it in the right way by filing a suit in a competent court of law seeking for a declaratory judgement with cogent reasons on why the slogan should be declared unlawful.
Note; Shuaibu Bashir Mukaddam and his legal team are in total support of the efforts made by the Nigerian police force in trying to ensure safety and security of the nation at Large.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR;
Shuaibu Bashir Mukaddam is an undergraduate student of 200l of Maryam American University Of Niger faculty of law. He is an enthusiastic reader, researcher and legal writer with more than 15 articles published he’s one of the writers of Iko Africa. His interest and vast knowledge in the legal sphere covers all aspect of the law. Shuaibu has won many awards included but not limited to the award of legal advocate of the year 2023 by legal minds and most brilliant member 2023 by legal minds and leadership award of 2023 by International Forum Of Legal Ideas.
He’s the executive legal research officer hiLAWrious Organization and the executive national president African Law Students Association Nigerian Chapter.

Shuaibu Bashir Mukaddam can be contacted via;
Mail; shuaibubashir16@gmail.com
LinkedIn; Shuaibu Bashir Mukaddam
Instagram; the_shab_jr

Prepared and settled by;
H.E Shuaibu Bashir Mukaddam