A Lawyer’s Advice To The Newly Commissioned ASPs

Dear 418 Cadet ASPs,

You are by virtue of your current status, leaders and
professionals and crisis managers. In the thin line between today
and yesterday, you are imbued with the power to restrict people’s
liberties and freedom. You can arrest with or without warrants. You
can issue the warrants, bear arms and wield legitimate force on
fellow human beings. You can detain human beings in cubicles called
cells.

By your ingress rights, you can violate peoples’ privacy without
actually violating the law. You are law enforcers and
superintendents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. You are all the
many things you are.

But I wish also to candidly advise you by reminding you that
power comes with responsibility and responsibility comes with duty.
Be reminded further that all duties have corresponding rights and
vice versa.

As police officers, your primary duty is detecting and
preventing crimes and criminals. You have, therefore, no business
exerting your powers on innocent members of the public going about
their civic and contractual pursuits. Do not prosecute people
emotionally or for personal reasons. You may find yourselves
entangled in many malicious prosecution suits that may end up
embarrassing you. With the advancement in the extant Nigerian laws,
individual officers may not always necessarily hide under their
organisation’s name.

By item 392 (or so) of the police code of conduct, you may be
forced to personally carry your cross for (in) actions done in your
capacity as officers. I know this a lot as I have gotten just that
done to lots to erring superior officers. Yes, you are big men and
women, but the law stands tall above you all.

From time to time, spare moments to ponder about the new Police
Act especially section 4 thereof. Memorise chapter 4 of Nigeria’s
Constitution and familiarise yourselves with Nigeria’s Anti-Torture
Act and the ratified Banjul Charter among many other key laws. I
know quite a number of you are both law graduates and officers but
memories need from time to time to be refreshed.

Be ready for surprise and paradoxes as you will find in the
circle of high and low ranks of your chosen profession many
instances of abuse and flagrant disregard of the very law you are
tasked to protect and enforce. Please, always do what is right. I
assure you, God, people and posterity will see, judge and reward
you.

I implore you to use your enormous discretion justly and
judiciously. Harbour nothing but integrity so you may be adjudged
as upholders and not violators of people’s rights.

May God be with you as you invest your time, intellect and
welfare towards national peace and security.

Abba Hikima can be reached through abbahikima@gmail.com

Dear 418 Cadet ASPs,

You are by virtue of your current status, leaders and
professionals and crisis managers. In the thin line between today
and yesterday, you are imbued with the power to restrict people’s
liberties and freedom. You can arrest with or without warrants. You
can issue the warrants, bear arms and wield legitimate force on
fellow human beings. You can detain human beings in cubicles called
cells.

By your ingress rights, you can violate peoples’ privacy without
actually violating the law. You are law enforcers and
superintendents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. You are all the
many things you are.

But I wish also to candidly advise you by reminding you that
power comes with responsibility and responsibility comes with duty.
Be reminded further that all duties have corresponding rights and
vice versa.

As police officers, your primary duty is detecting and
preventing crimes and criminals. You have, therefore, no business
exerting your powers on innocent members of the public going about
their civic and contractual pursuits. Do not prosecute people
emotionally or for personal reasons. You may find yourselves
entangled in many malicious prosecution suits that may end up
embarrassing you. With the advancement in the extant Nigerian laws,
individual officers may not always necessarily hide under their
organisation’s name.

By item 392 (or so) of the police code of conduct, you may be
forced to personally carry your cross for (in) actions done in your
capacity as officers. I know this a lot as I have gotten just that
done to lots to erring superior officers. Yes, you are big men and
women, but the law stands tall above you all.

From time to time, spare moments to ponder about the new Police
Act especially section 4 thereof. Memorise chapter 4 of Nigeria’s
Constitution and familiarise yourselves with Nigeria’s Anti-Torture
Act and the ratified Banjul Charter among many other key laws. I
know quite a number of you are both law graduates and officers but
memories need from time to time to be refreshed.

Be ready for surprise and paradoxes as you will find in the
circle of high and low ranks of your chosen profession many
instances of abuse and flagrant disregard of the very law you are
tasked to protect and enforce. Please, always do what is right. I
assure you, God, people and posterity will see, judge and reward
you.

I implore you to use your enormous discretion justly and
judiciously. Harbour nothing but integrity so you may be adjudged
as upholders and not violators of people’s rights.

May God be with you as you invest your time, intellect and
welfare towards national peace and security.

Abba Hikima can be reached through abbahikima@gmail.com