Delta: Parade of “gay suspects” abuses dignity and the law

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Center has denounced the large number of suspects detained after being accused of performing a gay wedding ceremony at a hotel in Warri, Delta State.

The state police command paraded the 100 suspects, who were apprehended on Monday night during a midnight raid.

However, the center claimed there are established legal procedures for the treatment of people suspected of crimes in a statement by its executive director, Okechukwu Nwanguma.

Nwanguma observed that suspects being paraded before the media is illegal, unconstitutional, and detrimental to a fair hearing and a fair trial while also asserting that the detained individuals had a right to be treated with dignity.

The statement said, “RULAAC notes with considerable concern the arrest by the Delta State Police Command of over a hundred young people for allegedly performing a gay wedding ceremony in a hotel in Warri, Delta state, and their parade before the media today, August 29, 2023.

Even if we agree that homosexual relationships are illegal in Nigeria, there are established legal processes for the handling of those who are accused of crimes.

“Until they are proven guilty after a fair trial in a court of competent jurisdiction, persons accused of violating any provision of the law are entitled to the presumption of innocence. They have a right to dignity as well.

The argument that parades of suspects in front of the media are unlawful, unconstitutional, and harmful to the rights to a fair trial and hearing has been presented numerous times. It is an illegal and ineffective tactic of law enforcement that offends against human dignity and undermines the right to the presumption of innocence guaranteed by the Constitution. The suspects are effectively found guilty without a trial.

The Center also expressed amazement at the state command’s “quick and efficient” action in detaining and displaying LGBT suspects despite the fact that it had not yet addressed a petition that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had forwarded to the Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, three months prior.

The police should stop violating the suspects’ rights, according to a new request from RULAAC.

The statement went on to say that “they should either charge them right now or release them on bond.”