Human Right lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has condemned the new dress code of the Nigeria Police Force, maintaining that it was illegal, ultra vires and should be reversed. 
 
On March 4, 2022, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, unveiled a new dress code for the Police, especially female officers, who can now wear coverings or hijab.
 
Adegboruwa, in a statement, said: “The religion of public officers, including members of the security agencies, should be a private matter to them.

The IGP is not competent to use the platform of his office to enforce religion.

“Section 10 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stipulates that government and its agencies should be neutral in religious matters. Section 42 of the same constitution prohibits discrimination in all its ramifications. In this regard, there will be no end to confusion attending to the new dress code prescribed by the IGP.

“What will be the official uniform for policewomen, who are in the Catholic Church? How should policemen and women who are in the Celestial Church dress when the practice of their church is against wearing shoes at all?

“And how should traditionalists who are in the Police force dress up, with charms and amulets round their uniforms,” he asked.

Adegboruwa noted that the Nigeria Police has existed as an institution since 1945, stating that it is strange among all the issues confronting the agency, such as low morale, poor welfare, poor infrastructure, poor training, poor welfare, only for religious adornment to be given priority by the IGP.

He urged the Police to focus on combating crime, improving citizens’ engagement and help guaranty safety of lives and property. 
 
“The religious preferences of policemen and women should be their private matters,” he insisted.