“Police is your friend” “Bail is free” these are common phrases used by police officers and seen written in police stations across Nigeria. But not all police officers are able to conduct themselves in a civil manner or follow the ethics of their profession.
Oftentimes officers are seen profiling individuals based on their gender and appearance. There has been cases of people being forced to admit to crimes which they have not committed. In Nigeria , there are several reports of citizens being detained without any charges beyond the holding period.
Knowing your rights and politely letting a police officer know you are aware of these rights will help you avoid unnecessary police harassment.
Firstly, be aware you are not obligated to answer any questions or give any explanation to a police officer. It’s your legal right to speak or remain silent about a question being asked. Only a judge can order you to answer questions.
When apprehended by a police officer, it’s your right to call a lawyer. On no account must a police officer arrest an individual and deny them access to a lawyer.
You are not obligated to sign any form or documents. It is your constitutional right to seek the advice of a lawyer before affixing your signature.
It is your right to request that a law enforcement officer shows you an arrest warrant before you can be arrested. This also applies to searches: you can request to see a search warrant before an officer is allowed access to your home, phone and personal belongings.
During an arrest, it is your right to know the reason why you are being arrested and it is mandatory the law enforcement officer identifies his/her(self).
It is important you know what your constitutional rights are and how you can protect yourself.
Information about your legal rights as a citizen can be found in the constitution of your country.
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