The Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum (PLBF) has condemned the Nigeria Police Force, FCT Command, for releasing graphic images of the late David Shikfu Parradang, former Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), before conducting a thorough investigation.
The Forum described the act as a violation of human dignity and an infringement on the privacy of the deceased’s family.
Speaking at a press briefing at the NUJ Press Centre in Jos, the Forum criticized the police for what it called an “insensitive and unwarranted” release of the images, insisting that such actions undermine professional ethics and public trust.
“The Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum finds the release of these disturbing images highly inappropriate. It is a clear violation of the deceased’s dignity and an unjust intrusion on the family’s privacy. The police had no justification for making such images public,”
the Forum stated in a statement delivered by its Chairman, Ledak Dazuk Dafer, and jointly signed by Secretary Niri Isaac Darong.
The Forum also faulted the police for what it described as a hasty conclusion regarding Parradang’s death, raising concerns about the credibility of the investigation.
“The haste with which the police made conclusions in their statement is troubling. When an institution charged with upholding justice rushes into conclusions, it sets a dangerous precedent,” the Forum stated.
The lawyers further expressed disappointment over the silence of the NIS, stating that the agency should have spoken out in defense of its former leader’s dignity.
“We expect the NIS to honor its past leaders with the same seriousness the Armed Forces accord their personnel. Mr. Parradang was not just another retired officer; he was a distinguished public servant who served Nigeria with integrity. Their silence on this matter is unfortunate and unacceptable.”
The Forum criticized the language used in the police report, arguing that its explicit nature and focus on a female guest in the case suggested a presumption of guilt, violating the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.”
“The Nigeria Police Force must understand that every citizen is entitled to due process. The mention of an arrest without conclusive evidence creates a perception of bias and undermines the fundamental rights of individuals involved in the investigation,” the Forum noted.
The Forum called on the Inspector-General of Police to constitute an independent investigative panel to ensure due process and fairness in unraveling the circumstances surrounding Parradang’s death.
It also urged the Police Service Commission and the National Human Rights Commission to sanction officers who acted unprofessionally in handling the case.
“The Nigeria Police Force must retract these images and offer a formal apology to Mr. Parradang’s family. Furthermore, clear guidelines must be established to prevent the public release of sensitive images and information in future cases.
“We will not relent in ensuring that this matter is handled with the dignity and professionalism it deserves. The Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum is closely monitoring developments and expects full accountability from all institutions involved,” the statement concluded.
