NBA, CDHR Demand Transparent Prosecution Of Trigger-Happy Policeman Who Openly Executed Suspect In Delta
29th April, 2026 | News
Legal and Rights Groups Demand Justice for Mene Ogidi; Warn Against Police Cover-Up
EFFURUN, DELTA STATE — The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) have issued a scathing condemnation of the extrajudicial execution of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi, demanding that the police officers involved face full criminal prosecution rather than simple internal discipline.
The outcry follows a viral video of the April 26 incident, which shows Ogidi being summarily executed by officers attached to the Effurun Area Command despite his pleas for mercy.
NBA: “No Officer is Judge and Executioner”
In a powerful statement released Wednesday, April 29, 2026, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) described the killing as an “arbitrary and misguided show of power.”
- Joint Liability: While the NBA acknowledged the arrest of ASP Nuhu Usman, it insisted that every officer seen in the video aiding or abetting the act must also be prosecuted. “They all will be jointly liable,” the statement read.
- Constitutional Violation: Osigwe reminded the authorities that the Constitution presumes every person innocent until proven guilty, warning that “the right to life and dignity” becomes meaningless if such acts go unchecked.
- Local Oversight: The NBA has directed its Human Rights Committees in Warri, Effurun, and Udu to monitor the investigation closely to ensure it is not watered down.
CDHR: “Justice Must Be Seen to Be Done”
The CDHR, led by Debo Adeniran, echoed these sentiments, warning the Nigeria Police Force against its history of “administrative leniency” where initial promises of justice eventually fade into silence.
The rights body issued a series of specific demands:
- Independent Prosecution: The case must be moved to a competent court of law immediately, bypassing opaque internal police “room trials.”
- Public Disclosure: Full transparency regarding the findings of the investigation must be provided to the public and Ogidi’s family.
- Compensation: The group is demanding adequate compensation for the victim’s family.
“The life of Mene Ogidi matters,” the CDHR stated. “We will not hesitate to mobilize lawful civic action should there be any sign of obstruction or delay.”
A Call for Systemic Reform
Both organizations emphasized that this tragedy is a symptom of a deeper “culture of impunity” within the Nigeria Police Force. They argued that the incident underscores an urgent need for comprehensive reform focusing on the use of force and strict accountability.
With the principal suspect reportedly transferred to Abuja, the legal community and human rights activists remain on high alert, vowing to ensure that the “devil-may-care attitude” displayed in the viral footage metes out a corresponding legal consequence.
Source: Sahara Reporter