Stop arresting Youths wearing dreadlocks, tattoos – Group tells Police
Stop arresting Youths wearing dreadlocks, tattoos – Group tells Police
Some Non-Governmental Organisations have urged the Nigerian Police to stop arresting youths based on their physical appearance or fashion like wearing dreadlocks and bearing tattoos.
Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN) and the Rule of Law and Accountability Centre (RULAAC), made the call at a one-day media townhall awareness on human rights, the Police Act and Regulations in Enugu on Thursday.
The Executive Director of RULAAC, Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, in his presentation, said the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 provided for the protection of rights of citizens.
Nwanguma, however, noted that it was regrettable that not many Police nor members of the public knew about the document for lack of awareness.
He said the Police act as amended, prohibited personnel from stereotyping like arresting a person based on tribe, religion, wearing dreadlocks or bearing tattoos.
“The general objectives of the Act, the provision of an efficient and effective police service are based on the principles of accountability and transparency, protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
“It prohibits against gender discrimination by Police, torture, no arrest of persons on a civil wrong, no arrest of person in lieu of suspect.
“The Act prohibits arrests based on stereotypes, for example. hair, age, dressing, skin colour or tattoos,” he said.
Nwanguma called on the Police to engage the media on creating awareness of the Police Act while urging journalists to be abreast of the provisions of the document in order to exercise their role as watchdogs of the society better.
On his part, Mr Bash Oluwasupo, a facilitator, in his lecture, said the media under Nigeria’s constitution, played a crucial role in holding the government accountable.
Oluwasupo said it was the duty of the media to investigate corruption and abuses of power, inform citizens about their rights and provide a platform for discussion and debate on policies and governance issues as well as give voice to the marginalised.
“The media plays a crucial role in this framework by acting as a watchdog and facilitating the dissemination of information to the public.
“Through investigative journalism, the media can uncover issues of misconduct and corruption, thereby supporting the objectives of the Freedom of Information Act.
He said though not explicitly stated, the Police Act protected journalists from undue harassment and ensured they could report on issues related to policing and public safety.
“The Nigeria Police Act underlines the necessity of a constructive relationship between the police and the media, balancing the need for transparency with the need for operational security,” he said.
Earlier in her opening address, Mrs Nkem Okereke, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, PWAN said the event aimed to enhance the understanding and implementation of the Police Act 2020 and its associated regulations among the Nigerian Police management team.(NAN)
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Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
The police in Lagos on Friday, charged two men before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defiling an 11- year-old girl.
The defendants are: Prince Tomnyie, 40, a businessman, who resides at Agege, and Micheal Adenuga, 24, a furniture maker, who resides at Atere Street in Lekki.
They are standing trial on charges of defilement, and had each pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji told the court that they committed the offence sometimes in December 2024, and September 2025, at Langbasa Ajah and Igbara Lekki, Lagos .
The prosecutor alleged that the victim’s father, had taken his daughter for medical check and it was discovered that the minor had been defiled.
The prosecution alleged that the victim had told her father that his friend, Tomnyie, defiled her sometimes ago.
Ademigbuji alleged that the victim also mentioned the second defendant’s name who lives in their neigbourhood.
The offence contravenes the provisons of section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr L. A Owolabi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of of N600,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
He adjourned the case until March 5, for mention. (NAN)
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Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has insisted that bail is free, and called on the public to report any officer asking for money to release a suspect on bail.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Adeh spoke in reaction to public outcry that some police officers were demanding money to release suspects on bail in the territory.
She said the report of the erring officers would serve as a deterrent to others, adding that it was fraudulent to demand for money to release a suspect on bail.
Adeh blamed the yielding to such fraudulent demand on ignorance on the part of the victims who refused to stand on their rights.
“A similar case was reported where an officer demanded money to release a suspect on bail and when the matter was reported, we requested for evidence from the victim.
“The evidence was provided because the money was transferred to the officer’s account and actions are being taken on the issue.
“So, I encourage the public to take advantage of the FCT Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) lines on 08107314192 to report such misconduct with evidence,” she said.
Adeh urged the public to always insist on their rights and refuse any form of payment to release a suspect on bail.(NAN)
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Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol was on Friday sentenced to five years in prison for obstruction of justice.
The Seoul Central District Court found that the 65-year-old conservative, with the help of the presidential security service, had tried to prevent his own arrest and deleted multiple documents related to the investigation against him.
Yoon shocked the nation by imposing martial law on December 3, 2024, amid a budget dispute with the opposition, plunging the country into a political crisis.
He justified the drastic measure as necessary to protect South Korea’s democratic order and accused the left-leaning opposition of being infiltrated by communists with ties to China and North Korea, though he provided no evidence for these claims.
In a separate trial, prosecutors have sought the death penalty for Yoon on charges of incitement, with a verdict expected on February 19.
While the death penalty remains legally in force in South Korea, it has not been carried out for nearly 30 years.
Yoon’s actions previously alarmed international investors and led to withheld investments, damaging the reputation of South Korea as a political and economic model for the region.
Since last summer, South Korea has been led by President Lee Jae Myung, a left-leaning centrist and long-time political rival of Yoon. (dpa/NAN)
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