NBA, Delta Lawmakers Accuse Police Of Non-enforcement Of Open Grazing Ban

Delta State Police Command has come under attack for its alleged failure to implement the state’s anti-open grazing law three years after it was passed but prefer to enforce ‘indecent dressing’ law.

The allegations by the state’s Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and Delta lawmakers may not be unconnected to the command’s controversial enforcement of a purported ban on indecent dressing.

It was said that while the police are quick to enforce an ambiguous directive on dressing, they have failed to enforce the state’s anti-open grazing law passed in 2021.

A post on the Command’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle warned that anyone found guilty of indecent dressing could face a ₦50,000 fine or community service, citing the Delta State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, 2020.

The post, written in Pidgin English, “As you no like wear cloth wey dey cover your body well. VAAP law don ready to punish anybody wey no dress well.”

The post which has been seen as offensive for its tone and interpretation by the Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) it has strongly condemned the move, accusing the police of both legal misinterpretation and dangerous selectivity in law enforcement

In a statement signed by the Committee chairman, John-Larry Ojukoko. “The Delta State VAPP Law refers strictly to indecent exposure not vague or subjective interpretations of dressing. The police do not have the constitutional power to levy fines or assign community service without judicial authority.” the NBA said

The NBA warned that such misapplications of the law could lead to arbitrary arrests and abuse of citizens, particularly vulnerable populations such as youth and women.

Corroborating, the Delta State Ministry of Justice, through its Public Relations Officer Mr. Isharo Odafe, said “No security operative has the power to impose any punishment on any individual without due process of law,” Odafe stated.

“The use of the phrase ‘indecent dressing’ instead of the legally defined ‘indecent exposure’ raises concerns about potential human rights violations.”

During a stakeholders’ meeting earlier this year, the Delta State House of Assembly, (DSHA), expressed frustration at the continued flouting of the law by herdsmen, despite growing reports of attacks, killings, and destruction of farmlands.

Lawmakers accused law enforcement of turning a blind eye to one of the most pressing security challenges in the state.

Deputy Speaker, Arthur Akpowowo, who chairs the Assembly Committee on Legislative Compliance, lamented that herders still roam freely despite the ban, saying the law must be obeyed “to the letter.”

The Delta Police when asked why the open grazing law had not been implemented, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Bright, said “We have not been given the law. I haven’t even seen it, let alone studied it for implementation.”