Controversy Trails Police, Polytechnic Move To Curb Indecent Dressing In Delta

There is uneasy calm as the management of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South local government area and the state police command take steps to curb indecent dressing among the students and residents of the state.

In its renewed efforts to check improper dressing among its students and staff members, the polytechnic management adopted what it tagged: “No bra, no entry, no pants, no entry” into its campus.

Similarly, the police informed the residents of its resolve to enforce the provisions of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law which prescribes punishments for indecent dressing in the state.

However, the declaration has drawn sharp criticisms from the Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Warri Branch, which accused the police of misinterpreting the law.

A management official of the polytechnic told LEADERSHIP that the policy, which was in vogue before, was being re-introduced because the school could no longer tolerate the worsening dressing habits by members of the polytechnic community.

In the past, some students, who did not wear bras and pants were denied entry by security guards, who mounted the school gate to check for indecent dressing.

The ugly trend is believed to be fuelling crimes such as rape, cultism, burglary, inducement of lecturers and influx of ‘Yahoo Boys’ into the campus, among others.

The institution’s public relations officer, Mr. Manfred Oyibogbeye, said the polytechnic frowns at the growing rate of indecent dressing in the school.

“Sometime, every reasonable organisation should be cautious of the physical appearance of its members, as the case may be, especially where indecent dressing is rampant.

“We lay emphasis on decent dressing; the institution seriously frowns at the current trend, whether it is from members of staff or students,” he said.

Recently, the registrar of the institution addressed members of staff and was emphatic on the issue of dressing.

“We don’t welcome indecent dressing here; we don’t encourage it. For now, the school is embarking on sensitisation; if you get to the gate dressed indecently, the security guards will ask you to go home and dress properly,” he warned

He said very soon more stringent measures would be taken against defaulters to serve as a deterrent to others.

In a statement posted to its official X handle, the police command announced plans to begin penalising individuals who appear in public “without proper clothing,” stating that violators risk a fine of ₦50,000 or community service.

The post written in Pidgin English read, “As you no like wear cloth wey dey cover your body well, and you prefer dey waka go work, school, or anywhere with clothes wey dey show everywhere for your body, make you hear am, Delta State Government nor dey smile for that kain dressing. VAPP Law don ready to punish anybody wey no dress well.”

The announcement, part of a broader public sensitisation campaign aimed at highlighting lesser-known laws every weekend, referenced Section 29 of the Delta State VAPP Law, which was domesticated in 2020. The section criminalises “indecent exposure” whether intentional, partial or full exposure of private parts in public with a fine not exceeding ₦50,000, community service, or both, upon conviction by a court.

But, the NBA’s committee which expressed concerns over the move, described it as a potentially unlawful and misleading interpretation of the law by the police.

In a statement signed by the committee’s chairman, John-Larry Ojukoko, the NBA warned that the phrase “indecent dressing” is neither defined nor recognised in the VAPP Law, and that its vague usage could lead to rights violations and arbitrary enforcement.

“There is a clear legal difference between ‘indecent dressing’ and ‘indecent exposure,’ as outlined in Section 29 of the VAPP Law,” he said, adding that, “the law refers specifically to the exposure of private parts, not general appearance or choice of attire.”

The committee said the police lack the legal authority to impose fines or mandate community service without due judicial process.

“The Nigeria Police Force can arrest suspects, but it is only the court that can convict and impose penalties. Anything outside this is illegal and a violation of fundamental rights of the people,” Ojukoko added.