Nigerian human rights lawyer, Effiong Inibehe reacted to what Public Relations Officer, Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said that if a policeman slaps a civilian, the civilian has no right to retaliate.

In response to the widely shared footage showing the two men assaulting and dragging a riffle alongside police officers, Olumuyiwa Adejobi state that. ” Even if a policeman on uniform slaps a civilian, the civilian has no right to retaliate. More so if he or she is on uniform. It is an act of disrespect to Nigeria. To beat an officer on uniform is not disrespect to the policeman but to our nation and it is a crime as enshrined in the constitution.”

Inibehe Effiong, who come across the video and the tweet by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, wrote,

“You’re not entirely right. I agree that “assaulting” a police officer is wrong. I also agree with you that self-help should not be resorted to. However, every case has to be examined on its merits. Note that self-defence and provocation are defences in law and applies generally.

“The law does not create exception for law enforcement officers who attack citizens. If a policeman provokes or attacks a citizen, and the citizen reacts to the provocation and the attack in a manner that is proportional, a charge brought against the citizen will likely fail.”

“It should be noted that, under the law, police officers do not have unlimited power to arrest citizens. The principle of legality applies to arrest. By law, reasonable force should only be used to arrest a citizen who is resisting a lawful arrest. Unlawful arrest can be resisted.”