The Federal Government has directed the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to cease the public parading of criminal suspects, citing concerns over human rights violations.
The directive, issued by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), instructs law enforcement agencies to discontinue the practice, which has long been criticized by legal experts and human rights activists.
Senior police officers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Lagos State confirmed receiving the order, with one officer stating, “The AGF issued the directive earlier this month, and we have been informed accordingly. You may have already noticed some level of compliance.”
Another senior officer in Abuja corroborated the report, saying, “Yes, we have been asked to stop parading suspects.”
When contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said an official statement would be released in due time. “The police will react officially when appropriate. We will issue a statement soon,” he assured.
Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) welcomed the move, emphasizing that suspect parades violate fundamental human rights.
“Parading suspects is illegal as it contravene the presumption of innocence guaranteed by Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,” Falana stated.
He also criticized the selective nature of the practice, noting that while petty theft suspects are publicly displayed, high-profile individuals accused of corruption are often shielded.
“There are at least five court rulings, including decisions from the ECOWAS Court and Federal High Courts, declaring the parade of suspects illegal,” he added.
Senior lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) also condemned the practice, warning of its lasting consequences.
“The reputational harm from these parades is irreversible. Many suspects are later acquitted, but the public never forgets the initial humiliation,” he said.
Ozekhome urged the Inspector General of Police to enforce the directive nationwide, stressing that law enforcement should focus on gathering evidence and prosecuting suspects in court rather than conducting media trials.
“The police should build solid cases and take suspects to court rather than subjecting them to media trials,” he emphasized.
With the directive now in place, all eyes, as noticed by WorldClass247News,, are on the Nigeria Police Force to ensure full compliance, as pressure mounts to uphold citizens’ rights and adhere to legal standards.