A legal practitioner, Barrister Aremo Monday Samuel, has declared that torture remains strictly prohibited under Nigerian law and international conventions, warning that offenders risk up to 25 years imprisonment, regardless of circumstances such as war, internal conflict or public emergency.
Samuel made this known during a webinar organised by the Police Complaints Response Unit, CRU, of the Nigeria Police Force, themed “Your Rights Matter. Your Pain Counts. Your Justice is Possible.”
He stressed that the Anti-Torture Act, 2017, provides no room for justification of torture, noting that liability extends beyond direct perpetrators to include supervising and commanding officers who order, condone or fail to prevent such acts.
According to him, victims of torture are entitled to compensation, while offenders face prosecution under existing laws, including the 1999 Constitution, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and the Evidence Act, 2011.
He further warned that cases built on unlawfully obtained evidence often collapse in court, underscoring the need for professionalism and adherence to due process by law enforcement agencies.
The webinar, which brought together human rights advocates, legal practitioners, journalists and victims, focused on strengthening accountability and improving public trust in policing.
Participants raised concerns over persistent cases of police brutality, extortion and harassment. One attendee recounted how a friend was assaulted and forced to pay N40,000 despite committing no offence, while others cited incidents involving alleged extortion running into hundreds of thousands of naira.
Some participants advocated the use of body cameras for police officers to enhance transparency, while others highlighted fear of victimisation as a major barrier to reporting abuse.
Responding, Head of CRU, CSP Anietie Iniedu, said the engagement was part of ongoing reforms approved by the Inspector-General of Police to bridge the gap between citizens and the police.
He reiterated that the Force maintains zero tolerance for misconduct and urged Nigerians to utilise official complaint channels rather than relying solely on social media.
According to him, the CRU has recorded significant progress in addressing misconduct, disclosing that officers implicated in a recent case of extortion and torture in Anambra State are under investigation.
He added that the police are advancing digital reforms, including plans to deploy body cameras to improve accountability.
Providing insight into the unit’s impact, CRU officials said the unit has handled over 11,000 complaints, sanctioned hundreds of officers and dismissed several others for misconduct since its establishment under the Police Act, 2020.
A victim, Mr. Daniel, shared his experience of being arrested and extorted of N900,000 in Abuja, noting that the CRU intervened and recovered his money and phone within days after he filed a complaint.
He expressed surprise at the efficiency of the process, saying he was previously unaware of such redress mechanisms.
Other contributors, including media practitioners, called for sustained public enlightenment, especially on the legality of free bail, warning that both officers who demand payment and individuals who offer it are culpable.
CRU officials also clarified that while search warrants are generally required, exceptions exist in cases involving serious crimes where officers may act without prior warrant under specific legal provisions.
They, however, assured that all complaints raised during the session would be investigated thoroughly.
The session ended with a renewed call for professionalism within the police force and increased public participation in reporting misconduct, as stakeholders emphasised that accountability is essential to eliminating torture and restoring confidence in Nigeria’s policing system.
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