Advocates sensitise Nigerians on human rights, Police Act

Human rights advocates have tasked community members on the importance of knowing their fundamental human rights and having deep understanding of the Police Act 2020 and its regulations across the country.

They said that a lot of citizens lacked comprehensive knowledge of policing laws, which make them to fall victim of unlawful arrests and violation of rights.

The call was made, yesterday, during a town hall meeting organised by Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), held in NECA House in Ikeja Lagos.

The workshop, tagged: “Enhancing Police Governance: Deepening Understanding of the Police Act 2020 and Regulations across Nigeria,” was aimed at addressing critical gaps in the understanding and application of the Police Act 2020 and accompanying regulations within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The workshop was said to also be an avenue of increasing public awareness of the recent changes and reforms within the Police Force as contained in the Police Act 2020, which was signed into law in 2020 by former President Muhammadu Buhari to repeal the Police Act Cap P19 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

In her opening remarks, Executive Director of PWAN, Kemi Okenyodo, who was represented by Oreoluwa Fatuyi, stated that PWAN is dedicated to enhancing citizen’s participation and improving security governance in Nigeria and West Africa through various rules of law, citizens’ security and CSO-strengthening programmes.

He said: “Historically, Nigeria has faced systemic issues in its policing, characterised by allegations of corruption, misuse of power and a significant disconnect between police operations and community expectations.

“Poor enforcement of regulations and lack of professional conduct, among other problems, have eroded public trust in the police.”

She stressed that lack of awareness had created a gap between the police and the citizens, resulting in mistrust, fear and tense relations.

Also, a justice and security sector reform expert, Tosin Osasona, who spoke on “Know your Rights,” stated that it is mandatory for citizens to know their rights as regards policing activities and the amendments that have been made in the Act.

Osasona, who emphasised that majority of citizens suffer harassment and unlawful detention because they fail to know their constitutional rights as citizens, said: “The Act prohibits the arrest of a person for a civil wrong, such as landlord/tenant matters, contract, divorce or breach of contract, among others.

“The Act also says that it is unlawful for another person, such as the mother, father, siblings or friends of a suspect to be arrested in place of the suspect. A suspect is also not to be subjected to any form of torture, degrading or inhuman treatment.”