FG considers human rights, bans parade of criminal suspects

Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, has directed the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to discontinue the public parade of criminal suspects.

The directive, which took effect on Sunday, marks a significant shift in law enforcement procedures across the country.

Confirming the development, The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer and the Commissioner of Police at the National Cyber Crime Center held a joint briefing without presenting any suspects.

Journalists seeking the usual parade were informed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) had enforced the AGF’s directive.

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“In cases like that of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), where most of the individuals paraded are suspected vandals, the appropriate approach now is to present the vandalised items to journalists while providing a detailed briefing,” a senior officer explained.

This new method will involve sharing a list of suspects and the circumstances surrounding their arrests without subjecting individuals to public exposure.

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, welcomed the move, describing the practice of parading suspects as illegal and discriminatory.

“The public parade of suspects violates the fundamental right to 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 said.

He noted that while individuals accused of minor offenses like stealing a phone are often paraded, politically exposed persons implicated in large-scale corruption are rarely subjected to such public exposure.

Falana revealed that multiple court judgments had declared the practice illegal.

“There are five judgments from both the ECOWAS Court and Federal High Courts affirming that the parade of suspects is unlawful,” he said.

Mike Ozekhome, another senior legal practitioner, also commended the decision, emphasising the irreparable damage often inflicted on suspects’ reputations.

“The parade of suspects has persisted for far too long, causing permanent reputational damage to individuals who are later found innocent,” Ozekhome said.

He urged the IGP to ensure strict adherence to the directive across the 36 State Commands.

“If the Police have a solid case, they should present it in court, not parade individuals as criminals before trial. Even when suspects are acquitted, the public often remembers the parade, not the acquittal,” Ozekhome added.

With the new policy in place, law enforcement agencies are now expected to adopt alternative methods of engaging with the media during criminal investigations.

For cases like vandalism, officers will display the vandalized items while providing a comprehensive account of the investigation and arrests.

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The police have assured the public that the shift will not affect their commitment to crime-fighting.

“We remain resolute in our duty to protect lives and property while respecting the rights of all citizens,” an officer said.

According to experts, the decision to end the parade of suspects aligns with international best practices and reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to upholding human rights, particularly the principle that suspects remain innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.