By Fawaz Adebisi
Renowned human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has asserted that the utilization of police uniforms by skit maker, Abdulgafar Ahmad, popularly known as Cute Abiola, for entertainment purposes is not unlawful.
Following the recent controversy over the comedian’s portrayal of police uniforms in his skits, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had previously announced the intention to prosecute Cute Abiola for purportedly violating the law’s provisions concerning the use of uniforms.
However, Inibehe Effiong released a statement on Friday expressing disagreement with the police spokesperson’s stance.
The lawyer emphasized that globally, entertainers have been utilizing military and police uniforms as part of their artistic expression without legal repercussions.
He argued that the mere use of a police uniform in a skit for entertainment does not inherently bring contempt upon the uniform.
Furthermore, Effiong highlighted the potential difficulty in proving any contemptuous intent, suggesting that if the skit accurately reflects the police’s recognized conduct, it could be challenging to build a case against the comedian.
He even proposed the possibility of summoning up to a thousand witnesses to testify that the skit merely reflects common police practices and is not contemptuous in nature.
The lawyer advised Adejobi to reconsider pursuing the case, cautioning that such legal action could backfire and expose the police force to public ridicule and judicial scrutiny.
Instead, he encouraged law enforcement to focus on addressing issues of corruption within their ranks, which has significantly contributed to a negative perception of the uniform and the police force.
Effiong also pointed out that the offense in question carries a relatively minor punishment of three months imprisonment or a fine of forty Naira, further questioning the effectiveness of such a penalty in achieving any meaningful impact.
The lawyer therefore urged the police to carefully define what constitutes a “police uniform” as provided by law and to gather concrete evidence beyond reasonable doubt before proceeding with any legal action.
He emphasized the seriousness of criminal litigation and reminded all parties involved that the law should be treated with the gravity it deserves.
