A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has reacted to the position of the police to investigate and prosecute a comedian, Abdulgafar Abiola, with stage name Cute Abiola, for wearing police uniforms in his skits.
Recall the comedian had on July 20 and 24, 2023 posted two skits on the social media where he wore police uniforms.
In a statement on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the skits in question show a highly disrespectful and derogatory portrayal of the police uniform, an action he noted is in direct violation of Section 251 of the Criminal Code and Section 133 of the Penal Code Law.
Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, noted that such acts are not only offensive, but also undermine the integrity and dignity of the men and women who wear the uniform in service to the nation.
He said: “Abdulgafar Abiola will be investigated and possibly prosecuted for his deliberate acts as the NPF had already warned skit makers and filmmakers to desist from desecrating its uniform or accoutrements.
“The Force is committed to upholding the sanctity of the uniform and will pursue due legal process to ensure accountability for any individual or entity that seeks to bring disrepute to the uniform or the institution it represents.
“We call on all members of the public, including media personalities, to exercise their freedom of expression responsibly and avoid engaging in actions that could erode public trust in our revered law enforcement institutions.”
Reacting to the position of Adejobi, Effiong said it was not illegal for Cute Abiola to have used a police uniform in his skits.
In a post shared on the social media on Friday, Effiong argued that “entertainers use military and police uniforms globally for their art and craft”.
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He argued that the case Adejobi wants to pursue may end up exposing the police to further public ridicule and judicial rebuke.
He said: “Using ‘police uniform’ in a skit for the purpose of entertainment cannot by itself bring contempt on that uniform.
“In any event, if what’s demonstrated in the skit is a true reflection of what the police is known for, you will have a hard time proving this case.
“The skit maker may want to call up to a 1000 witnesses to testify that the skit is a true reflection of the police mode of operation, and that they did not find it contemptuous of the uniform.
“Maybe you think, Sir, that it is the opinion of the police that the court will use to determine whether contempt was brought on the uniform or not.
“Well, that is not how the law works and you may soon find this out.
“This case you want to pursue may end up exposing the police to further public ridicule and judicial rebuke.
“By the way, the said offence is a simple offence with a punishment of only three months imprisonment or a fine of forty Naira.
“If the Magistrate Court even agrees with your argument, fine may be imposed and I don’t see how forty Naira fine on Cute Abiola will improve the revenue of the police or the Federal Government.
“Rather than dissipate your energy trying to fight skit makers for depicting the police in a way you’re not comfortable with, you should use that energy to curtail the menace, lawlessness and wanton corruption of policemen whose endless abuse of power is what has actually brought the uniform and the force into contempt.
“By the way, you will have to define what constitutes a “police uniform” as provided for by law, and also prove beyond reasonable doubt that what Cute Abiola wore in the skit is a police uniform.
“It is not as simple as ABC.
“Law is not a joke.
“Criminal Litigation is not skit.”
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