The spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force, Muyiwa Adejobi, has reminded Nigerians about the legal repercussions of resisting or obstructing public officers carrying out their duties under an order.
In a statement released on Sunday, Adejobi encouraged the public to familiarise with pertinent laws as anyone who obstructs or resists an officer while performing their official duties is guilty of a misdemeanor and risks imprisonment for up to two years under Section 197 of the Criminal Code Act.
Penalties for such offences are also outlined in the Police Act 2020.
He said when called upon, civilians are required by Section 42 to help judges, magistrates, and police officers make a valid arrest or stop a suspect from escaping.
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.”