The social media was on Boxing Day, Sunday December 26, 2021 thrown into a frenzy following a gestapo style of arrest of former Governor Rochas Okorocha’s son in-law, Uche Nwosu, an act which many stakeholders in the civil society, political circle as well as the media have strongly condemned, calling it a stain to the country’s constitutional democracy.
The viral video of Uche Nwosu which was widely populated on various social media platforms faintly displayed how he was whisked away by gun wielding men who were shooting sporadically making many to scamper to safety as the situation was misconstrued for kidnapping or robbery attack.
Although, the Police in a swift reaction claimed they were responsible for the arrest and that Nwosu was in their custody.
Another surprise arising from the Boxing Day incident was that Mr Nwosu was arrested during an outing church service held in honour of his late mother, Jemaimah Nwosu, at Eziama Obiare in Nkwerre LGA of Imo State.
Sadly, this action was carried out in an environment that had the presence of minors, senior citizens and other vulnerable groups who could possibly be nursing certain underlying medical conditions; again, the actions and activities of the officers at the scene of the arrest could even make their health conditions deteriorate further. Thankfully, there was no record of loss of lives and property on Sunday and no one was hit by a stray bullet.
It would be recalled that this style of questionable use of force on defenceless citizens and the treatment of the judiciary with disdain was evident in the recent raid on the residence of a Supreme Court judge, Justice Mary Peter-Odili, and the October 2016 midnight invasion of the homes of some respected justices.
It is on record that under this dispensation security agents with official endorsements broke fences and removed doors at the residences of unarmed citizens in midnight raids to effect arrests or execute suspicious search warrants.
Precisely on Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8, 2016, security operatives broke into the homes of some Supreme Court justices, and other judges, at midnight.
Justices Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro, both of the Supreme Court; the then suspended Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, Justice Mohammed Tsamiya; Justice Kabiru Auta of the Kano State High Court and now retired Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja, were all arrested.
Others arrested were a former Chief Judge of Enugu State, the late Justice Innocent Umezulike, and Muazu Pindiga of the Federal High Court, Gombe Division.
The operatives also raided the home of the immediate past CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, who had then been pencilled as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and second in rank to the then incumbent CJN.
It is not in contention that Uche Nwosu like any other Nigerians no matter how highly placed could be arrested or charged to Court, but the process should be carried out without any procedural breaches. Putting the record straight, the state security agents have the constitutional rights to make an arrest where necessary and the citizenry must also support them when such actions are taken, but it must be done in a most appropriate manner devoid of any infractions or human rights abuse(s).
In addition Police officers must not only respect human rights but must also actively protect human rights by, for example, arresting a suspect in order to protect the rights of other people. This Police duty to protect is what makes human rights the foundation of Police work.
The Police and their sister agencies must therefore follow the prescribed procedure as enshrined in the extant laws before carrying out any arrest that can be adjudged to be lawful. For example an arresting officer(s) must present warrant of arrest if the arrest must be carried out with a warrant and the arrested person must be informed of their rights in the language that they understand.
Nigerians are not unaware of the internal security maintenance and enforcement of law and order which are known to be the primary responsibilities of the Police in any part of the world. This age-long duties have helped to establish peace by molding the character of the society towards sustainable and enduring developmental growth and value chain.
But today, Nigerians are grossly disturbed that the brutality of the force on citizens is occasioned by issues left unaddressed by government at all levels at the detriment of the citizenry.
However, members of the Executive, Legislature and the judiciary as well as the media, civil rights groups and the youths must do everything possible to dispassionately look for constitutional means of resolving protracted issues affecting the Nigerian Police Force over the years, so as to place the force on its optimal performance in accordance with its constitutional roles so that Nigeria will no longer be a laughing stock in the comity of nations.
What happened in Imo State on Sunday judging from the social media hysteria was utterly reprehensible, barbaric, vicious and a subject of mockery but it is not too late to make necessary amends. God bless Nigeria.
-Ajibulu is an infoprenuer, publisher of veracitydesk.com.ng, writer, communication consultant and social media influencer.
emmanuelajibulu@gmail.com
