Nigeria’s Attorney General has banned the police from publicly parading suspects, a practice that involves displaying individuals accused of crimes to the media and public. Senior police officers in the Federal Capital Territory and Lagos State confirmed they had been informed of the directive, with one officer saying they had noticed increased compliance. The Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi said the police would issue an official statement “when it is time.”
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana described the practice as illegal, citing the constitutional right to the presumption of innocence. He argued that it is discriminatory, disproportionately affecting less privileged suspects, and that courts have repeatedly ruled against it. He also noted that confessions obtained during such parades are inadmissible in court, yet they can fuel mob violence.
Chief Mike Ozekhome called the practice “unnecessary and unjust,” highlighting the lasting damage to the reputations of individuals later found innocent. He urged the Inspector General of Police to instruct officers nationwide to cease parading suspects, arguing that a strong case should proceed directly to court. He distinguished between police-arranged parades and media coverage of court proceedings, saying the latter is legitimate reporting, whereas the former is prejudicial and should be stopped.
Add Comment