The Investigate Prosecute Confiscate, IPC, has countered the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in an attempt to investigate and prosecute popular skit maker, Abdulgafar Abiola, known as Cute Abiola.
Reacting to the police tweet in a Twitter thread, IPC expressed concern about the condemnation, saying the condemnation was an overreach and an attempt to suppress individual expression.
The body saddled with the responsibility of restructuring Nigeria and investigating corruption in politics, judiciary, and holding the government accountable stated that Cute Abiola is a comedian and has the right to express himself through his art.
According to IPC, the police vowed to prosecute the skit maker is unacceptable as he did not in any way disrespect the police uniform or the police force.
“The skits could even be seen as a form of social commentary, highlighting the challenges that the police force faces in Nigeria,” IPC added.
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While condemning the police act in totality towards the skit maker, IPC said the force act towards Cute Abiola sets a dangerous precedent.
“It sends the message that the police force is intolerant of criticism and that it is willing to use its power to silence those who speak out against it. This is not the kind of message that we want from our police force. This is the behavior you expect from oppressive nations.”
IPC urged police to reconsider its condemnation of Cute Abiola, noting that the Kwara State Governor aide has the right to express himself freely and that his skits did not in any way disrespect the police uniform or the police force.
“We also urge you to focus on improving your image with the community. The police force has a long history of corruption and abuse, and it is clear that the public has lost trust in the police. You need to take steps to rebuild that trust, and you need to do it by respecting the rights of the people.”
Recall that police through its Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement vowed to investigate and prosecute the skit maker for desecrating its uniform.
Adejobi stated that although Cute Abiola has the right to enjoy fundamental human rights like other Nigerians under the law, but the same law prohibits him from rubbishing the police institution or grossly violating its provisions about the use of uniforms.
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