That “Police is your friend” or “bail is
free’, a Nigerian will tell you is one of the biggest lies ever told in our
nation. If you doubt me, stop and ask any random person on the road or conduct
a poll. Daily, the news is filled with stories of police officers boldly collecting
bribes, demanding that bail be paid and even unlawfully extorting citizens. This
coming from a police that is employed to protect the citizenry and enforce our
laws is a big blow to democracy and life in Nigeria.
free’, a Nigerian will tell you is one of the biggest lies ever told in our
nation. If you doubt me, stop and ask any random person on the road or conduct
a poll. Daily, the news is filled with stories of police officers boldly collecting
bribes, demanding that bail be paid and even unlawfully extorting citizens. This
coming from a police that is employed to protect the citizenry and enforce our
laws is a big blow to democracy and life in Nigeria.
Sadly, the police hierarchy pays only lip
service to this problem that has bedeviled the police force for years. The
police condones such behavior from its officers else how can an officer have
the courage to stand in a police station and demand for bail, it is because he
or she knows that fellow colleagues in the station will not castigate the act
neither will the superiors punish it. Rather, other police officers will cover
up their law breaking colleague and even bear false witness against the victim.
But for how long will Nigerians tolerate these illegal and unscrupulous acts
from the Nigerian police. When will Nigerians be able to beat their chest and
credibly expect justice from the police. Our police officers have turned to the
job to a cartel of sorts and have succeeded in ridiculing the institution both
locally and internationally.
service to this problem that has bedeviled the police force for years. The
police condones such behavior from its officers else how can an officer have
the courage to stand in a police station and demand for bail, it is because he
or she knows that fellow colleagues in the station will not castigate the act
neither will the superiors punish it. Rather, other police officers will cover
up their law breaking colleague and even bear false witness against the victim.
But for how long will Nigerians tolerate these illegal and unscrupulous acts
from the Nigerian police. When will Nigerians be able to beat their chest and
credibly expect justice from the police. Our police officers have turned to the
job to a cartel of sorts and have succeeded in ridiculing the institution both
locally and internationally.
As active and responsible citizens, it is
important we raise our voice against the despicable acts. Due to fear, many Nigerians
have kept quiet and allowed these unruly behavior to go unchecked. Below are
steps a Nigerian or anyone visiting the country can take when faced with a
policeman who seeks to breach your legal rights or take advantage of you.
important we raise our voice against the despicable acts. Due to fear, many Nigerians
have kept quiet and allowed these unruly behavior to go unchecked. Below are
steps a Nigerian or anyone visiting the country can take when faced with a
policeman who seeks to breach your legal rights or take advantage of you.
1.
Make an official
complaint
Make an official
complaint
The police in a bid
to clean up its ranks has established a procedure for reporting officers for
unethical acts or behaviours. The police has created the police complaints unit
dedicated to handling complaints against police officers. Via http://npf.gov.ng/complaint/, you can
register a complaint against any police officer. The Complaints unit can also
be reached via phone on 08057000001 or 08057000002. You may also send SMS via
08057000003 or via twitter and email on @policeNG_PCRRU and policepcrru@gmail.com respectively.
to clean up its ranks has established a procedure for reporting officers for
unethical acts or behaviours. The police has created the police complaints unit
dedicated to handling complaints against police officers. Via http://npf.gov.ng/complaint/, you can
register a complaint against any police officer. The Complaints unit can also
be reached via phone on 08057000001 or 08057000002. You may also send SMS via
08057000003 or via twitter and email on @policeNG_PCRRU and policepcrru@gmail.com respectively.
According to the
Police Complaints website on 4/8/2017, in the 1st quarter of 2017,
there have been over 498 total complaints received, out of which over 355 have
been closed or treated. The poor numbers of reports shows that not many
Nigerians are using the complaints unit to make complaints against the police. It
is recommended that more people do same.
Police Complaints website on 4/8/2017, in the 1st quarter of 2017,
there have been over 498 total complaints received, out of which over 355 have
been closed or treated. The poor numbers of reports shows that not many
Nigerians are using the complaints unit to make complaints against the police. It
is recommended that more people do same.
2.
Institute Legal
Proceedings against the police
Institute Legal
Proceedings against the police
The court is
described as the last hope for the common man to get justice. Hence it is
important for persons to approach the courts if their fundamental human rights
have been breached by members of the police force. The Nigerian Constitution
even provides in Section 35(6) that “ any person who is unlawfully arrested or
detained shall be entitled to compensation and public apology”. In instituting
legal action against the police it is important that the victim approaches a
good lawyer who will present the matter before the courts.
described as the last hope for the common man to get justice. Hence it is
important for persons to approach the courts if their fundamental human rights
have been breached by members of the police force. The Nigerian Constitution
even provides in Section 35(6) that “ any person who is unlawfully arrested or
detained shall be entitled to compensation and public apology”. In instituting
legal action against the police it is important that the victim approaches a
good lawyer who will present the matter before the courts.
3.
Use social media
Use social media
The power of social
media can never be overemphasized. If you have the opportunity to record the
police officer in the act of extortion or
committing an offence, post same on social media and crucify such officer on
the altar of public opinion.
media can never be overemphasized. If you have the opportunity to record the
police officer in the act of extortion or
committing an offence, post same on social media and crucify such officer on
the altar of public opinion.
Bad people prevail when good people do
nothing.
nothing.
Adedunmade Onibokun Esq
Photo Credit – www.pulse.ng