By Diana Oluwole
The Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Warri Branch, has expressed strong concerns over a recent warning issued by the Delta State Police Command on what it described as “indecent dressing.” The Command, in its notice, stated that offenders would be liable to a ₦50,000 fine or community service, citing Section 29 of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.
This concern was contained in a press statement made available to news men issued and signed by the Chairman of the NBA Human Rights Committee, John-Larry Ojukoko Esq, the association cautioned against the misapplication of the law and warned that such a move could pave the way for human rights abuses, arbitrary arrests, and harassment, especially by overzealous officers.
According to the NBA, the term “indecent dressing” is vague and lacks clear legal definition, thereby posing a significant risk of misuse. The association also clarified that the Nigeria Police Force lacks the legal authority to impose fines or community service without judicial process.
It stated that ‘For the avoidance of doubt, Section 29 of the Delta State VAPP Law addresses ‘Indecent Exposure,’ not ‘indecent dressing’ as cited by the Police. The law specifically refers to the intentional exposure of private parts in public, and even then, penalties such as fines or community service are to be determined by a competent court of law—not unilaterally imposed by law enforcement officers,” the statement read.
The NBA further called on the Delta State Police Command to exercise caution and strictly adhere to the provisions of the law to prevent the abuse of citizens’ rights under the guise of moral enforcement.
“The Human Rights Committee will continue to monitor the situation closely and will not hesitate to take action in the event of any reported harassment or unlawful detention stemming from this warning,” Ojukoko added.