Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Saturday, sparked a heated debate on X (formerly Twitter) after stating that the Nigerian law empowered police operatives to break into homes without a search warrant.
The controversy began when an X user, Somto Okonkwo, shared a video showing masked policemen forcefully entering a house by scaling the fence.
The video shows the officers firing shots after the occupants refused to open the gate of the house for them.
But the police later gained access to the building by scaling the fence.
Reacting to the video, an X user, Joseph Tobore, Adejobi’s statement contravened Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution.
He said, “Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution is dead in the eyes of the police spokesman. Nigeria is in trouble if Prince can support breaking the laws and claim it’s their law. Be reminded that any law that is not in conformity with the Constitution is no law. Prince, I challenge you: educate Nigerians on Section 37 and ask yourself how this statement makes sense.”
Responding to the backlash, Adejobi defended the actions of the police, stating, “The police have the power to break into any house or place where they are reasonably convinced an offence is being committed.”
He further explained that breaking into homes was allowed in the law, with a caution that “all you need is to follow the procedure. Powers to break in and break out, not only in the East, it’s the law of the land.”
However, an X user, Ben Samuel, criticised Adejobi’s remarks, saying “Your statement lacks clarity, sir. The police do not have the authority to ‘break into any house or place’ without a valid warrant. There is no difference between the actions of these undisciplined officers and those of armed robbers, and they must face strict punishment for such misconduct. Legal duties cannot be carried out using unlawful methods,” he wrote.
But the Force PRO further said, “No matter how they review the law, no amendment would strip the police of its powers. They can only review the procedure of exercising its powers. And note that not in all cases do we require a warrant to search or arrest. Read the law and understand. There are many laws guiding the operations of the police, and they are sacrosanct.”
