GistReel

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has directed the Nigeria Police Force to cease the public parade of crime suspects.

Senior police officers in Abuja and Lagos confirmed the directive in interviews with Punch. A top officer in Lagos stated, “I am aware of it.

The directive was issued earlier this month, and the information has been relayed to us. You may have noticed some level of compliance.” Likewise, an officer in the FCT confirmed, “Yes, we have been instructed to stop parading suspects.”

The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, noted that an official statement would be issued soon. “The police will provide an official response when the time is right,” he said.

According to reports, renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has condemned the public parading of suspects, calling the practice illegal.

He said, “The practice of parading suspects is illegal as it constitutes a gross violation of the fundamental right of criminal suspects to the presumption of innocence guaranteed by Section 36 of the Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“It is equally discriminatory as only lowly placed criminal suspects are exposed to media parade by the police and other law enforcement agencies.

“While poor suspects are paraded for allegedly stealing tubers of yam or telephone handsets valued at ₦10,000 or less, politically-exposed persons accused of looting the public treasury to the tune of ₦10 billion or more are never paraded before the media.”

Falana stated that over five judgments had declared that the parading of suspects is illegal.

He said, “Even though the incriminating statements procured from criminal suspects during media parade are not admissible during trial in criminal courts, they are used by law enforcement agencies to compel members of the public to participate in mob justice.

“There are five judgments of the ECOWAS Court and Federal High Courts which have declared the parade of suspects illegal.

“I have sued all law enforcement and security agencies to justify the illegal parade of suspects.”

Mike Ozekhome (SAN), while reacting to the directive, described the practice as unnecessary and unjust.

He expressed concerns over the long-term reputational damage inflicted on individuals who may later be found innocent.

He said, “I want to say that this issue has persisted for many years, lingering unnecessarily.

“I want to implore the present Inspector General of Police to stop the practice of parading suspects. Because such suspects, at the end of the day, maybe found not guilty, but the damage done to their reputation remains permanent. Unfortunately, while people widely see and remember the parade, fewer pay attention when the courts eventually exonerate the accused.

“The Inspector General should direct all officers across the 36 state police commands to stop parading criminal suspects. There is no need for such displays—if the police have a solid case, they should take the suspect to court.

“It is different when a person is leaving the courtroom and the media captures images as part of their normal job. In such cases, the matter is already before the court and is sub judice. However, parading individuals before they are even tried, labelling them as criminals is unjust and should be discontinued.”