Lawyer Kunle To Be Prosecuted For Using Police Uniform For Skit

The use of police uniforms for enjoyment by skit creator Abdulgafar Ahmad, alias Cute Abiola, has been defended by human rights attorney Inibehe Effiong.

On Thursday, the Force’s public relations officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated that the comedian would face legal action for breaking the law “with regard to the use of uniforms.”

In contrast, the human rights attorney stated in a statement on Friday that “entertainers use military and police uniforms around the world for their art and craft,” contradicting the police spokesman.

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

“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.

Effiong asserts that the creator of the comedy may wish to call up to 1000 witnesses to attest that the skit accurately depicts the police’s methods of operation and is therefore not derogatory.

“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.”