WARRI/Nigeria: The Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Warri Branch, has raised serious concerns over a recent directive issued by the Delta State Police Command warning residents against “indecent dressing,” with offenders reportedly facing fines of ₦50,000 or community service under Section 29 of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.
In a press release signed by the Chairman of the Human Rights Committee, John-Larry Ojukoko, Esq., MCIArb., the NBA Warri questioned the legality and interpretation of the police directive, warning that the subjective nature of the term “indecent dressing” could lead to widespread abuse and human rights violations.
“We appreciate the statutory role of the Nigeria Police in enforcing the law, but we are worried about the potential implications of this warning on the rights of citizens,” the statement read.
The NBA Warri pointed out that the Nigeria Police lacks the legal authority to impose fines or community service without judicial process, stressing that such penalties can only be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The group also emphasized that the VAPP Law, as cited by the Police, makes reference to “indecent exposure” and not “indecent dressing.” Section 29 of the Delta State VAPP Law defines indecent exposure as the intentional public exposure of private parts, either wholly or partially, with a prescribed penalty of a fine not exceeding ₦50,000, community service, or both—as determined by the court.
According to the NBA Warri, the deliberate substitution of “indecent exposure” with “indecent dressing” in the police directive opens the door to arbitrary arrests, police harassment, and the erosion of citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.
“The use of vague and undefined terms like ‘indecent dressing’ is deeply troubling, and we call on the Delta State Police Command to exercise caution and remain guided by the provisions of the law,” Ojukoko stated.
The NBA Warri warned that it would closely monitor the situation to ensure that the rights of residents are not trampled upon in the guise of law enforcement. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to holding public institutions accountable and defending civil liberties in the state.
This development has already sparked public debate on social media, with many residents expressing fears that the police may exploit the ambiguous term to extort or intimidate citizens, particularly young people.
Legal analysts and civil society actors are also weighing in, with calls for the Delta State Police Command to issue a clarification and adopt a rights-based approach to law enforcement that respects due process and constitutional safeguards.
