The Integrity Youth Alliance, an organisation that has been monitoring the development trends in the Nigerian Police Force for over 15 years, has expressed shock over Omotunde Adebowale-David’s (@officiallolo1) attitude on Instagram.
Reacting to a video posted by the Nollywood actress and Nigerian radio presenter on @officiallolo1, the Alliance’s Director of Publicity, Danjuma Lamido, said that obstructing a police escort is an offence in Nigeria. The Police Act 2020 and the Criminal Code Act both address this issue.
“Police Act 2020 (as amended) Section 98 states that assaulting, obstructing, or resisting a police officer is an offence. Also, Section 99 states that refusing to assist a police officer who is being assaulted or resisted is an offence, Lamido said.
He went further to say that under the Criminal Code Act, Section 197, obstructing or resisting a public officer during the execution of their duties is a misdemeanour.
“A person who obstructs or resists a police officer may be fined N500,000 or imprisoned for six months, or both. A person who refuses to assist a police officer who is being assaulted or resisted may be fined N100,000 or imprisoned for three months, or both.
“Nigeria is governed by law. Even the Nollywood industry, where she is an actress, is governed by a law that must be obeyed. Being a radio presenter doesn’t give anyone the impetus to assault policemen on official duty, Lamido emphasised.
The Alliance called on the Lagos State Police Command to prosecute Omotunde Adebowale-David so as to serve as a deterrent to others who think they can assault, obstruct, or resist a police officer on official duties.
