What Nigerians must know about assisting public officers
In a recent announcement, the Nigeria Police Force has reminded citizens of their legal obligations when interacting with public officers and law enforcement. This comes as a crucial call for awareness amidst growing concerns about public cooperation with the authorities.
This was revealed in an X post made on the NPF official page.
It said, Section 197 of the Criminal Code Act explicitly states that obstructing or resisting public officers in the execution of their duties is a serious offence, carrying a penalty of up to two years in prison. This underscores the necessity for citizens to respect and comply with public officers as they perform their roles.
The Police Act 2020 further reinforces the duty of citizens to assist law enforcement. Under Section 42, individuals are required to aid judges, magistrates, or police officers in the arrest or prevention of a suspect’s escape when reasonably called upon. Ignoring such a request is not just a moral lapse but a legal offence.
Penalties are equally stringent for those who obstruct police officers. Section 98 of the Act imposes fines up to N500,000 or six months of imprisonment for anyone who assaults, resists, or obstructs a police officer in the line of duty. Encouraging others to do the same carries identical consequences.
Moreover, Section 99 emphasizes the duty to assist police officers in danger. Failing to help an officer facing resistance or assault can result in a fine of N100,000 or three months in prison, or both. This provision highlights the collective responsibility of citizens to support law enforcement efforts.
Muyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, has reiterated these legal mandates, urging Nigerians to understand and comply with these obligations. The message is clear: cooperation with public officers is not just expected—it’s the law.
The X post read,
“KNOW THE LAW AND BE GUIDED.
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Section 197 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria. Resisting public officers
“Any person who in any manner obstructs or resists any public officer while engaged in the discharge or attempted discharge of the duties of his office under any order, Act, law, or Statute, or obstructs or resists any person while engaged in the discharge or attempted discharge of any duty imposed on him by an order, Act, law, or statute, is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for two years
“Section 42 of the Police Act 2020
A person is bound to assist a judge, magistrate or police officer or other person reasonably demanding his aid in arresting or preventing the escape of a suspect whom the the judge, magistrate, police officer or other person is authorized to arrest
“Section 98 Police Act 2020
A person who assaults, obstructs or resists a police officer in the discharge of his duty, or aids or incites any other person to assault, obstruct or resist a police officer or other person aiding or assisting the police officer in the discharge of his duty commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N500,000 or imprisonment for a term of six months or both.
“Section 99, Police Act 2020
When a person is called upon to aid and assist a police officer who is, while in the discharge of his duty, assaulted or resisted or in danger of being assaulted or resisted, and the person refuses or neglects to aid and assist, the person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N100,000 or imprisonment for a term of three months or both.
Signed:
Muyiwa Adejobi, Force PRO, Force Headquarters, Abuja.”
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