“You are under arrest! You have the right to remain silent as anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law.”
Whenever we watch foreign movies we hear the police reciting a person's right as they cuff him/ her. But come to think of it, who has ever heard or seen any Nigerian police reciting rights to anyone? *laugh out loud*
The story of every Nigerian who has ever encountered the Nigerian police boils down to the simple question of “wetin I do oga police?” meaning “what have I done, why am I being arrested?”
These questions answered with resounding fiery slaps which would definitely make you forget you even have the right to anything.
The Nigerian police leave no room for questions when you fall into their hands; all you can do is sit back like a ram heading for the slaughter and hope that help comes for you somehow.
The era of their catchphrase “I will shoot you and nothing will happen” is meeting its long-overdue end. It is high time Nigerians wake up to their rights.
Guess what I came with a bucket of cold water to wake you up today!
You should know that as a Nigerian citizen you have these rights
To know the reason for an arrest or detention
To remain silent and ask to see a lawyer when you are arrested by a police officer.
If you are not arrested at the scene of a crime, you have the right to ask for a warrant signed by a court of law or chief police officer. any arrest made by the police without an indorsed warrant is illegal.
Remember that you are innocent until proven guilty! No one has the right to force you to agree to anything contrary
You can refuse to make or sign any statements until your lawyer or representative arrives.
The police have no right to search your home/office, without a signed warrant. when they come, you have the right to lock your doors and refuse to open until they show you a court warrant. Any search conducted without a warrant is considered illegal!
Most importantly “ THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY!” The Nigerian constitution guarantees “the privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversions and telegraphic communications.” in a nutshell this provision means that no police officer has the right to ask for your phone, read through your messages, enter your home unlawfully or even listen in on your conversations.
One even begins to wonder if the Nigerian police officers undergo any training at all. Do they even know they are supposed to read out the rights before flinging me or any other person in their jalopy truck like a sack of yam?
Do they know they do not have the right to barge into people’s houses (unless it’s the confirmed scene of a crime) for any reason without a warrant?
Do they know they do not have the right to collect phones randomly and read messages?
I don’t think they do but I hope this water was cold enough to wake you up!
Soro Soke and stand up for your rights!