Human Rights Issues: You and The Law Enforcement Agencies

By Ubong S. Ebong Esq. -
Today let's talk about the rights of Nigerian citizens in relation to our security agencies.

Firstly, you have to know that security is the collective responsibility of everyone and not just our security agencies. This entails that as patriotic citizens, it is our duty to not commit or assist in committing or assist in covering up the commission or encourage the commission of crimes. Rather we should all be diligent in reporting crimes to the police whether as a victim or simply as a concerned citizen. As a matter of fact it is your right to report crimes and after reporting, it is your right to be given proper and adequate attention by our security personnel with regards to your case. 

However, your report should be made in good faith. In other words, do not supply false information to the police out of malice just to get another person in trouble because by doing so you are committing a serious offence for which you will be punished.

They are several security agencies in Nigeria with each of them having their own peculiar functions. We have the police, the economic and financial crimes commission (EFCC), independent corrupt practices commission (ICPC), state security services (SSS or DSS as they are sometimes called), the Nigerian armed forces (consisting of the army, navy and airforce), the Nigerian security and civil defence corps (NSCDC) etc. I'm not going to delve into the specific functions of each of these agencies but just know that they all serve different functions which are all aimed at maintaining law and order in our society.

Put simply, you have the following rights when dealing with any of security agencies:
1) you have the freedom to make honest reports to these security agencies, 
2) you have the right to be heard or to be given fair hearing,
3) you are entitled to have your report/case properly attended to and investigated, 
4) you have the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty,
5) you have the right to be treated with dignity as opposed to being physically and/or psychologically tortured,
6) you have the right to be represented by a lawyer and to have your lawyer present at anytime,
7) you have the right to bail if the offence is bailable,
8) you have the right to have your matter taken to court etc.

So whether you are a victim of a crime or a witness or even a suspect, it is advisable that you consult your lawyer for proper legal guidance.  The police is your friend, but sometimes it's good to have another friend (your lawyer) by your side when dealing with your police friends. Finally, remember that security is the collective responsibility of everyone so please do your part.

#KYR


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