Posts Tagged: Human Rights

Stop and search is legal in Nigeria only when police have reasonable suspicion and act within the law.

Abuse happens when officers profile, intimidate, extort, assault, or force access to phones/social media without lawful grounds.

Citizens have rights during stop and search, including asking why they’re being stopped, refusing unlawful searches, and seeking legal remedies if abused.

Nigerian drug laws (NDLEA Act, Criminal Code, Penal Code) impose strict penalties, but enforcement often triggers human rights concerns such as torture, prolonged detention, and lack of access to fair trial.

International treaties and Nigerian case law emphasize the need to balance drug control with fundamental rights like dignity, privacy, and health.

A rights-based approach calls for rehabilitation, legal reforms, and accountability rather than over-criminalisation.