It’s no longer a news flash in the faces of Nigerians who in their ordinary businesses are being incessantly harassed by officers of the Nigerian Police force and other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria. More tragically is the untoward behaviour of the Nigeria Police force towards lawyers whose only crime is upholding the law and doing their job. The sight of lawyers who are supposed to be partners with the police has now become appalling. Something like a cat and dog situation.
You find cases where lawyers write quit notices and find themselves at the police station at the instance of a petition by a tenant; lawyers writing demand notices of debts and being intimidated by the police; police officers acting as debt recovery agents; converting civil matters to criminal matters, prosecuting and arraigning people who have refused to give them bribes at the police station and adjudicating over land and matrimonial matters with complete disregard etc.
There’s no need for Nigerians to beg the Nigeria Police force to ‘do normal’. It is only sad that it will take a long time for them to understand that they have hurt themselves and not just the nation or the people they intended to hurt. They should never forget that a boomerang returns back to the person who throws it.
When people make laws for slaves, they should be careful because the same laws may apply for a legitimate son. No doubt, that will be the lot of police men if they do not desist. Very few police men can boldly wish to have their children enlisted in the police force. Not just because the welfare is poor, as we already know, and acknowledge, but because they have continuously damaged the institution called the Nigeria police force. The truth is that an eye for an eye will make everyone go blind. The Police officers cannot mess the institution up simply because the politicians are doing same.
The respect of the police force is dwindling and quickly going down the drains. If the police force is very observant, they will know that it is in their best interest for them to earn that respect. Respect cannot be obtained by force neither can it be bought. If the police damages the seat they sit upon, never will they be able to occupy that seat again.
It is already known that police officers are no longer relevant outside service. It is even more sad that their colleagues in the force would not accord them the same respect or advantages they would have earned if they were still serving, how much more the lawyers and citizens they oppressed.
They can continue to do whatever they want as police officers but they should remember they will retire, and when that day comes, not only would they have lost face with their colleagues in service but also the citizens. Then, they and members of their household would be flogged with the same cane they flogged others with.
Police officers should be men of honour and respect. I remember the days people parked their cars to give lift to men in uniform. Now people look at them with disdain, distrust and suspicion.
If it pleases the police to continue in the collection of bribes, they should please do so. If it pleases a Commissioner of Police, Area Commander, Divisional Police Officer(DPO) e.t.c to manipulate justice, because a land grabber has given him land and then he goes ahead and prevent a rightful owner of the land from taking possession of his property, he can continue. He can continue dabbling into family issues and dabbling into businesses illegally and destroying the business community. But let it be known that what you cook you will eat, what you sow you will reap. Nobody needs to beg the police to do what they should do.
Let he who has hears, let him hear.
By Charles Ajiboye,FICMC
