- Odibo Victory
The Lagos State Police Command has cautioned residents against jungle justice, warning that mob action resulting in serious injury or death could amount to a criminal offence, including murder or manslaughter.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, gave the warning in a video announcement made available to newsmen on Tuesday.
The warning came after a man was allegedly killed by a mob on Lagos Island following a road accident, just two weeks before his wedding.
Adebisi said the responsibility for investigating alleged crimes and determining whether a suspect was guilty or innocent rested with the police and the courts.
“Without ambiguity, jungle justice is murder. It is not justice. It is a crime,” she said.
She noted that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, protects fundamental rights, including the rights to life, dignity, liberty and fair hearing.
According to her, Section 36 of the Constitution also guarantees the presumption of innocence, meaning that a suspect remains innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.
“Even if you believe that someone has committed a crime, you do not have the right to beat, torture, burn, stab or stone the person to death,” she said.
The police spokesperson added that the Lagos State Criminal Law criminalises violence against persons, including assault, grievous harm and unlawful wounding.
She specifically cited Sections 245 and 246 of the law, which deal with grievous harm and unlawful wounding, respectively.
Adebisi said the command would investigate cases of jungle justice that result in serious injury or death as criminal offences.
“If jungle justice leads to serious injury or wounding, the Lagos State Police Command will investigate it as a criminal offence.
“If jungle justice leads to the death of a person, we will investigate it as murder or manslaughter under the criminal law of Lagos State,” she said.
She warned residents who participate in mob attacks that they could become suspects and face criminal investigation themselves.
“If you join others in beating or killing a person because you believe that the person committed a crime, you may end up becoming a suspect yourself,” she said.
Adebisi urged residents to contact the police, provide relevant information and help prevent suspects from escaping instead of taking the law into their own hands.
She also called on witnesses to mob attacks to seek immediate assistance and report such incidents rather than simply recording them on their mobile phones.
“Recording the incident does not replace your responsibility to seek help and report the matter. If you see a mob attacking a person, call the police immediately,” she said.
The PPRO further advised residents against encouraging mob action, providing weapons, inciting violence or participating in attacks on suspected offenders.
She assured residents that the command would handle every case of jungle justice in line with the law.
Adebisi said the command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, remained committed to securing justice for victims and their families.
She also sympathised with families who had lost loved ones to jungle justice, assuring them that the police would pursue justice within the law.