The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has threatened to prosecute comedian Abdulgafar Abiola, often known as Cute Abiola, for allegedly abusing the Force Uniform in his skits. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, criticized Cute Abiola’s actions.
“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 trashing the police institution or grossly violating its provisions regarding the use of uniforms,” said the statement.
“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 the 20th and 24th of July, 2023,” the Force said. “The sketches in question portray the police uniform in a highly disrespectful and insulting manner, which is a direct violation of Section 251 of the Criminal Code and Section 133 of the Penal Code Law. Such activities are not only disrespectful, but they also jeopardize the integrity and dignity of the men and women who wear the uniform in service to the country.”
“Abiola will be investigated and possibly prosecuted for his deliberate acts,” Adejobi stated, “as the NPF had already warned skit makers and filmmakers to desist from desecrating its uniform or accoutrements.”
He reaffirmed the Force’s dedication 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.”
As a result, the Force PRO urged all members of the public, especially media figures, to exercise their free expression properly and refrain from engaging in actions that could undermine public trust in our esteemed law enforcement institutions.
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