Activists Condemn the Culture of Refusal of the Service of Court Process by the Osun Commissioner of Police.

On the 6th May, 2020, a Fundamental Rights Enforcement procedure, Suit No- FHC/0S/CS/25/2020 was filed against the Commissioner of Police, Osun State and his DCCID, and the process was served on the Commissioner of Police by the bailiff of the court. The Commissioner of Police  refused the service of the court process from the bailiff and such disposition is unlawful and unacceptable and  a sign of not having  respect for law. The human rights world will not accept arrogance to law by any public office holder in Nigeria.

The trouble of Nigerians is always connected to the kind of the Police we have in Nigeria, particularly, the manner in which it is difficult to separate the Police and corruption like most other agencies in Nigeria.

The negligent attitude of the Police to the Human Rights Enforcement in Nigeria is worrisome and very irritating. At many instances, our courts have awarded cost against the POLICE for their anti-human rights method of operation, unlawful detention, torture and abuse of power. A hint to be considered vital by the Judges, Justices and National Human Rights Commission, is that, the activities of Nigerian Police is not transparent while handling investigation of crime, that has enabled the Police to arbitrarily violate the fundamental human rights of Nigerians, hiding under investigation. After serious abuse of rights, which was perpetrated in secrecy, they present false information to the court as cover up for the abuse of fundamental human rights of Nigerians. 

Our position is that we cannot continue to cope with lawlessness and abuse of fundamental human rights by the Police. And the Police cannot enforce law by being disrespectful to the law and courts of law.

Chief (OTUNBA) Abdulfatai Abdulsalam Liberty
National Convener, Human Rights Guide (HURIG)