A CRITIQUE OF SOME LAWS GUIDING THE CONDUCT OF THE POLICE AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS’ VIOLATIONS IN NIGERIA.

Abstract

There exist Nigerian municipal laws collectively-intended to ease the enforcement, promotion and protection of human rights of individuals against violations by the Nigerian Police. It is therefore worrisome that in spite of the existence of these laws, some Nigerian Police officers have increasingly continued to violate citizens’ rights in Nigerian like in other countries of the world. It is consequent on the above that this article undertakes a contemporary discourse and critique of some Nigeria municipal laws guiding the conduct of the Nigerian Police against human rights’ violations in Nigeria. Prior to the above, it offers explanations and definitions of key words that would aid the better understanding of the article. In this wise, it defines human rights, fundamental rights, human rights’ violations, and the police. It examines human rights in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right Act 1983. It highlights the provisions of the 2009 Rules and its comparative advantage over the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 1979 (1979 Rules). It also, highlights the powers of Police officers under the PA 2020. It examines the obligations of the Police under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. This article takes the stance that some of the provisions of these laws are not adequate, clear and precise. It identifies some short-comings in and outside these laws and offers recommendations, which, if implemented, could curb human rights violations by the Nigerian Police.