The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of a suspect by police officers in Delta State, describing the act as a grave violation of the rule of law and constitutional rights.
In a statement reacting to a viral video of the incident, the association expressed deep concern over what it termed an abuse of power by a law enforcement agent. The NBA said the development has further reinforced public concerns about recurring rights violations by security operatives.
“The Nigerian Bar Association is disturbed by the viral video showing the extrajudicial killing of a suspect by police officers in Delta State,” the statement read, noting that authorities have since confirmed that those involved will face murder charges.
The legal body described the act as “an arbitrary, unprovoked and misguided show of power,” stressing that it not only demonstrated a breakdown of professional conduct but also cast the police institution in a negative light.
Reiterating its position, the NBA declared: “No officer of the law, regardless of rank or circumstance, has the right to act as prosecutor, judge, and executioner.”
The association emphasized that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees the presumption of innocence, stating that every individual must be considered innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law.
It lamented what it described as a pattern of disregard for legal frameworks by some law enforcement personnel, warning that such actions undermine democratic values and threaten fundamental human rights.
According to the NBA, “some of such actions are usually unconstitutional, illegal and unlawful infringement on the rights of individuals,” adding that if left unchecked, such practices could erode public trust and normalize impunity.
While acknowledging the police decision to arrest the officer directly involved, the NBA insisted that accountability must not stop there.
“While we commend the Police for condemning and arresting the main perpetrator, but this is not enough,” the statement said, pointing out that the viral footage suggests the involvement of other officers.
The association called for a comprehensive investigation, stressing that “the investigation, arrest and prosecution process must extend to any other officer [who] may have counselled, aided or abetted the extra-judicial killing as they all will be jointly liable for the heinous act.”
It warned that any attempt to shield or delay justice would further damage public confidence in law enforcement institutions and vowed that such actions would be resisted.
The NBA urged authorities to ensure that the prosecution process is both transparent and expedited.
“We demand that the prosecution be conducted with full transparency and urgency. The Nigerian people deserve to see that the law applies equally to all, including those entrusted with its enforcement,” it stated.
To ensure accountability, the association directed its Human Rights Committees in Warri, Effurun, and Udu to monitor developments closely and engage relevant authorities where necessary.
It also tasked its national Human Rights and Civil Liberties Committees with tracking similar cases nationwide and taking appropriate legal steps to ensure justice is served.
Condemning the incident in the strongest terms, the NBA described the act as an assault on human dignity and the sanctity of life.
“The gravity of the offence captured in that video strikes at the very heart of our humanity, the rule of law, and the constitutional guarantees of the right to life and dignity of the human person,” the statement noted.
The association further decried the public nature of the killing, calling it deeply troubling in a modern democratic society.
Reaffirming its stance, the NBA concluded: “We reiterate our strong deprecation of this unsavoury conduct. It must stop.”
It added that erring officers must be removed from the force to preserve its integrity, warning that continued misconduct by a few could tarnish the reputation of the entire institution.