The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the extrajudicial killing of a suspect by a police officer in Delta state, describing it as a “misguided show of power” that undermines the rule of law.
On Tuesday, a trending video on social media showed the
shooting of the suspect, who had been restrained by a police officer attached
to the Delta police command.
In the less-than-two-minute video, the suspect was seated on
the ground with his hands tied behind his back with a rope before being shot by
a police officer in mufti.
The video has since generated widespread public outrage,
with calls for the prosecution of the officer involved and justice for the
victim.
In a statement on Tuesday, Bright Edafe, police spokesperson
in Delta state, said the officer, identified as Usman Nuhu, an assistant
superintendent of police (ASP), has been arrested and transferred to the force
headquarters in Abuja for disciplinary proceedings.
Reacting to the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday,
Afam Osigwe, NBA president, said no law enforcement officer has the authority
to act as the prosecutor, judge, and executioner.
Osigwe stated that the act not only violated the
constitutional presumption of innocence but also tarnished the reputation of
the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
“This is an arbitrary, unprovoked, and misguided show of
power by a law enforcement agent. Not only did the act clearly show that the
policeman took the law into his hands but portrayed the Nigerian Police Force
in a bad light,” the statement reads.
“The sordid act once more put under the spotlight the
unceasing allegations that law policemen routinely violate the rights of
criminal suspects and even innocent persons.”
The NBA president said the incident showed the persistent
allegations of rights violations by security agencies, cautioning that if such
actions are unchecked, they could erode fundamental freedoms and promote a
culture of impunity.
“Regrettably, many law enforcement and executive
functionaries fail to abide by the terms of the laws that set them up as well
as regulate their actions, but this is not always the case,” he said.
“They continue to act in a manner which must not be
encouraged in all decent societies. Some of such actions are usually
unconstitutional, illegal, and an unlawful infringement on the rights of
individuals.
“If such unlawful actions by the security agencies continue
unchecked, the fundamental rights of people may not amount to much in such a
climate of impunity.”
Osigwe said despite apprehending the officer who perpetrated
the act, accountability must be extended to all the personnel in the video.
“The investigation, arrest, and prosecution process must
extend to any other officer who may have counselled, aided, or abetted the
extra-judicial killing, as they all will be jointly liable for the heinous
act,” he added.
He called for a transparent and speedy trial, warning that
any attempt to shield those responsible would further damage public trust in
law enforcement.
The NBA president said the association has directed its
human rights committees in Warri, Effurun, and Udu to monitor the case and
ensure that justice is served.
“In furtherance of this, the NBA Human Rights Committee and
Civil Liberties Committee are hereby directed to closely monitor allegations of
violations of citizens’ rights in any other place, engage with relevant
authorities, and take all necessary legal and institutional steps to ensure
that justice is diligently pursued and ultimately served,” he added.
Osigwe also reiterated the call of the association for
comprehensive police reforms in accountability and the use of force, adding the
NBA stands with the victim’s family and will continue to push for justice.
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