The Nigeria Police Force has issued a stern warning to citizens about the legal consequences of resisting or obstructing public officers in the discharge of their duties.
In a statement signed by Muyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, the police urged citizens to acquaint themselves with relevant laws.
According to the statement, under Section 197 of the Criminal Code Act, any individual who obstructs or resists a public officer during the execution of their lawful duties is guilty of a misdemeanour and faces a potential prison sentence of up to two years.
Similarly, the Police Act 2020 prescribes penalties for related offences. Section 42 mandates citizens to assist judges, magistrates, and police officers in the lawful arrest or prevention of a suspect’s escape when reasonably called upon to do so. Failure to comply constitutes an offence under the law.
Section 98 of the Police Act further specifies that assaulting, obstructing, or resisting a police officer during the discharge of their duties, or inciting others to do so, is punishable by a fine of N500,000, imprisonment for six months, or both.
Also, under Section 99 of the Act, individuals who refuse to assist police officers when required, particularly in cases where officers are under threat or facing resistance, may be fined N100,000, sentenced to three months in prison, or both.
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The statement reads, “KNOW THE LAW AND BE GUIDED.
“Section 197 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria. Resisting public officers.
Any person who in any manner obstructs or resists any public officer while engaged in the discharge or attempted discharge of the duties of his office under any order, Act, law, or Statute, or obstructs or resists any person while engaged in the discharge or attempted discharge of any duty imposed on him by an order, Act, law, or statute, is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for two years.
“Section 42 of the Police Act 2020.
A person is bound to assist a judge, magistrate or police officer or other person reasonably demanding his aid in arresting or preventing the escape of a suspect whom the judge, magistrate, police officer or other person is authorized to arrest.
“Section 98 Police Act 2020.
A person who assaults, obstructs or resists a police officer in the discharge of his duty, or aids or incites any other person to assault, obstruct or resist a police officer or other person aiding or assisting the police officer in the discharge of his duty commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N500,000 or imprisonment for a term of six months or both.
“Section 99, Police Act 2020. When a person is called upon to aid and assist a police officer who is, while in the discharge of his duty, assaulted or resisted or in danger of being assaulted or resisted, and the person refuses or neglects to aid and assist, the person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N100,000 or imprisonment for a term of three months or both.”
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