Lawyers Without Borders Demands Public Trial of Police Officer Over Alleged Killing in Delta

Human rights organisation Avocats Sans Frontières France has called on the Federal Government and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure a transparent investigation and public prosecution of a police officer accused of the alleged extrajudicial killing of a 28-year-old man in Delta State.

The group, also known as Lawyers Without Borders, made the demand in a statement issued on Wednesday following widespread outrage over the death of Mene Ogidi, who was reportedly shot by Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Nuhu Usman, in Effurun.

According to the organisation, the incident allegedly occurred on April 26, 2026, within the jurisdiction of the Effurun Area Command, where the officer is said to be attached.

The statement, signed by the Country Director of ASF France, Angela Uwandu-Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, condemned the killing and described it as a serious abuse of constitutional rights and policing standards.

The rights group said videos and eyewitness reports circulating online suggested that the victim was unlawfully executed without due legal process, raising fresh concerns about the use of excessive force by security personnel in Nigeria.

ASF France argued that the alleged action violated Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees every Nigerian’s right to life, as well as Section 36, which protects the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court.

“The summary execution of Mene Ogidi represents a total collapse of due process,” the organisation stated, warning that such actions undermine public trust in law enforcement institutions and the criminal justice system.

The group further referenced Police Force Order 237, an internal operational guideline regulating the use of firearms by officers. According to the organisation, the regulation permits lethal force only in situations involving immediate threats to life or serious injury.

Human rights advocates in Nigeria have repeatedly criticised the misuse of Order 237 over the years, arguing that poor enforcement and weak accountability mechanisms have contributed to recurring allegations of unlawful killings by security agencies.

ASF France also maintained that the alleged killing breached international legal obligations binding on Nigeria, including provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which prohibit arbitrary deprivation of life by state actors.

The incident has renewed national debate around police reform and accountability, nearly six years after the #EndSARS protests that rocked Nigeria in 2020. The demonstrations, led largely by young Nigerians, were triggered by allegations of police brutality, torture and unlawful killings linked to the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

Although the Federal Government announced reforms following the protests, rights groups continue to document cases involving alleged abuse of force, unlawful detention and extrajudicial actions by security personnel.

Legal analysts say the demand for a public prosecution reflects growing pressure on authorities to move beyond internal disciplinary measures and ensure open judicial accountability in cases involving alleged human rights violations.

As of Wednesday evening, the Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue a detailed official statement on the allegations against the officer. However, civil society organisations are urging authorities to conduct an independent investigation capable of restoring public confidence in the justice system.

Observers warn that failure to transparently address the incident could deepen public distrust in law enforcement agencies and further intensify calls for comprehensive policing reforms across the country.