TDThe Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of a suspect in Delta State, captured in a viral video that has sparked outrage nationwide.
The incident, which showed police officers summarily executing a man in public view, has been described by the NBA as a “sordid act” that strikes at the very heart of the rule of law and constitutional guarantees of human rights.
In a statement released Tuesday, the NBA declared: “No law enforcement officer has the power to act as prosecutor, judge, and executioner.”
The association expressed deep concern that such arbitrary and unprovoked use of force continues to occur despite constitutional safeguards and repeated calls for reform.
A Heinous Breach of Law
The viral footage, which has been widely circulated on social media, shows armed policemen shooting a suspect in broad daylight.
The NBA noted that the act not only demonstrated a policeman taking the law into his own hands but also portrayed the Nigerian Police Force in a bad light, reinforcing longstanding allegations of routine rights violations by law enforcement agents.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is clear that every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
“Yet, many law enforcement and executive functionaries continue to act in ways that are unconstitutional, illegal, and unlawful infringements on the rights of individuals,” the NBA emphasized.
Call for Comprehensive Accountability
While commending the police authorities for condemning the act and arresting the main perpetrator, ASP Nuhu Usman, the NBA insisted that accountability must not stop there.
“The viral video clearly shows that other policemen aided or were involved in this heinous act.
The investigation, arrest, and prosecution process must extend to any officer who may have counselled, aided, or abetted the extra-judicial killing, as they all will be jointly liable,” the statement read.
The association warned that any attempt to shield, delay, or dilute accountability would further erode public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
Demand for Transparent Prosecution
The NBA demanded that the prosecution of all officers involved be conducted with full transparency and urgency.
“The Nigerian people deserve to see that the law applies equally to all, including those entrusted with its enforcement,” the association said.
To ensure justice is diligently pursued, the NBA directed its Human Rights Committees in Warri, Effurun, and Udu to monitor the investigation and prosecution process.
The Civil Liberties Committee was also tasked with closely tracking allegations of rights violations across the country and engaging relevant authorities to prevent impunity.
A Threat to Democracy and Human Rights
The association described the killing as a grave violation of the right to life and dignity of the human person, warning that unchecked abuses by security agencies could render fundamental rights meaningless.
“No society should allow such action to go unpunished.
The gravity of the offence captured in that video strikes at the very heart of our humanity, the rule of law, and the constitutional guarantees of the right to life and dignity of the human person,” the NBA declared.
It added that the execution in full public glare was particularly disturbing, as it violated laws regulating the treatment of criminal suspects and undermined Nigeria’s democratic values.
Broader Implications
The NBA’s intervention comes amid growing public anger over police brutality in Nigeria, with many recalling the 2020 EndSARS protests against extrajudicial killings and abuses.
The association stressed that bad officers must be weeded out of the Force to prevent further damage to its reputation.
“We reiterate our strong deprecation of this unsavoury conduct. It must stop. We must rise to ensure this and similar reckless acts stop.
“The bad policemen in the Force must be shown the way out to avoid giving it a bad name,” the NBA concluded.
The NBA’s statement underscores the gravity of the Delta incident, framing it as a test case for Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law.
By demanding transparent prosecution of all officers involved, the Bar has placed pressure on the Police Force and government to demonstrate that justice applies equally to all.
