AGF Cracks Down on Suspect Parades: Police Barred from Public Displays

 In a significant move to uphold the rights of suspects, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has issued a directive barring the Nigeria Police Force from publicly parading individuals suspected of committing crimes. 

This decision comes after years of criticism and legal challenges against the practice, which is widely considered a violation of fundamental human rights.  

The AGF’s directive emphasizes the principle of presumption of innocence, which states that every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Publicly parading suspects before they have been tried and convicted can lead to irreparable damage to their reputations, even if they are later found innocent. 

The AGF’s office has stated that this ban is in line with international human rights standards and aims to ensure that the rights of all citizens are protected. The police are expected to comply with this directive with immediate effect. This decision is seen as a major step towards reforming the criminal justice system in Nigeria and ensuring that the rights of suspects are respected.