Entertainment

Cute Abiola: Using police uniform for skit not illegal – lawyer

Published

2 years ago

July 28, 2023

Patience Alfa

POLICE UNIFORM: COMEDIAN ABDULGAFAR ABIOLA, AKA “CUTE ABIOLA’S” CONTEMPTUOUS ACT IS CRIMINAL, PUNISHABLE – POLICE

Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has said that the use of police uniforms by skit maker, Abdulgafar Ahmad, aka Cute Abiola, for entertainment is not illegal.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had on Thursday, said the comedian would be prosecuted for violating the provisions of the law “with regards to the use of uniforms”.

RE: POLICE UNIFORM: COMEDIAN ABDULGAFAR ABIOLA, AKA “CUTE ABIOLA’S” CONTEMPTUOUS ACT IS CRIMINAL, PUNISHABLE

In as much as the law grants Nigerians the right to enjoy their fundamental human rights, the same law prohibits an individual, under whatever guise, from rubbishing the police institution or grossly violating its provisions with regards to the use of uniforms.

We, therefore, vehemently condemn the contemptuous act displayed by comedian Abdulgafar Abiola, popularly known as “Cute Abiola,” in two recent skits posted on his social media handles on 20th and 24th July, 2023. The skits in question show a highly disrespectful and derogatory portrayal of the police uniform, an action that is in direct violation of Section 251 of the Criminal Code and Section 133 of the Penal Code Law. Such acts are not only offensive but also undermine the integrity and dignity of the men and women who wear the uniform in service to the nation.

Abdulgafar Abiola will be investigated and possibly prosecuted for his deliberate acts as the NPF had already warned skit makers and filmmakers to desist from desecrating its uniform or accoutrements. The Force is committed to upholding the sanctity of the uniform and will pursue due legal process to ensure accountability for any individual or entity that seeks to bring disrepute to the uniform or the institution it represents. We call on all members of the public, including media personalities, to exercise their freedom of expression responsibly and avoid engaging in actions that could erode public trust in our revered law enforcement institutions.

OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra

FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER FORCE HEADQUARTERS ABUJA

27th July, 2023

But the human rights lawyer in a statement on Friday disagreed with the police spokesman, saying “entertainers use military and police uniforms globally for their art and craft”.

“Using ‘police uniform’ in a skit for the purpose of entertainment cannot by itself bring contempt on that uniform.

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“In any event, if what’s demonstrated in the skit is a true reflection of what the police is known for, you will have a hard time proving this case.

According to Effiong, the skit maker may want to call up to 1000 witnesses to testify that the skit is a true reflection of the police mode of operation and therefore not contemptuous.

He advised Adejobi that the case may end up exposing the police to further public ridicule and judicial rebuke, adding that the police force should rather use the energy in pursuing such case on eradicating corruption within the system.

“By the way, the said offence is a simple offence with a punishment of only three months imprisonment or a fine of forty Naira.

“If the Magistrate Court even agrees with your argument, a fine may be imposed and I don’t see how forty Naira fine on Cute Abiola will improve the revenue of the police or the federal government.

“Rather than dissipate your energy trying to fight skit makers for depicting the police in a way you’re not comfortable with, you should use that energy to curtail the menace, lawlessness and wanton corruption of policemen whose endless abuse of power is what has actually brought the uniform and the Force into contempt.

“By the way, you will have to define what constitutes a “police uniform” as provided for by law, and also prove beyond reasonable doubt that what Cute Abiola wore in the skit is a police uniform. It is not as simple as ABC. Law is not a joke. Criminal Litigation is not skit.”

WATCH VIDEO OF CUTE ABIOLA IN POLICE UNIFORM