The procession of suspects detained for reportedly performing a gay wedding ceremony in a hotel in Warri, Delta State, has drawn criticism from the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Center.
The state police leadership paraded the 100 suspects they had captured in a Monday night operation, which totaled 100 people.
However, the center said that there are established legal procedures for the treatment of people suspected of crimes in a statement by its executive director, Okechukwu Nwanguma.
Nwanguma emphasized that while the detained individuals had a right to be treated with decency, it is illegal, unconstitutional, and detrimental to a fair hearing and trial to parade suspects before the media.
“RULAAC notes with considerable concern the arrest by the Delta State Police Command of over one hundred young individuals for allegedly performing a gay wedding ceremony in a hotel in Warri, Delta state, and their parade before the media today, August 29, 2023,” the statement stated.
“While we recognize that homosexual relationships are illegal in Nigeria, there are established legal procedures for the handling of those who have been accused of a crime.
“Until they are found guilty after a fair trial in a court with jurisdiction, people accused of breaking any law are entitled to the presumption of innocence. Additionally, they have a right to dignity.
The argument that parades of suspects before the media are illegal, unconstitutional, and detrimental to fair hearings and trials has been advanced frequently. It breaches the right to human dignity and the presumption of innocent under the Constitution and is an unconstitutional and ineffective tool of law enforcement. It essentially amounts to convicting the suspects without a courtroom.
The Center also expressed amazement at the state command’s “quick and efficient” action in detaining and presenting gay suspects when it had yet to address a petition that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had written to the Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, three months prior.
RULAAC urged the police not to continue violating the suspects’ rights.
The statement said, “They should charge them right away or release them on bond.”
