Dare Babalola
A France-based human rights organisation, Avocats Sans Frontières France (Lawyers Without Borders), has urged the Federal Government and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure full transparency and a public court trial over the alleged extrajudicial killing of a 28-year-old suspect, Mene Ogidi, in Delta State.
The group also called for the prosecution of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Nuhu Usman, who is allegedly linked to the incident that occurred on April 26, 2026, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its Country Director, Angela Uwandu-Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, the organisation described the incident as unlawful and deeply troubling, citing viral footage and eyewitness accounts circulating on social media.
It alleged that the victim was shot by the police officer attached to the Effurun Area Command under circumstances that did not justify the use of lethal force.
According to ASF France, the killing amounts to a grave violation of constitutional safeguards and international human rights obligations.
The organisation stated, “The summary execution of Mene Ogidi represents a total collapse of due process and a blatant breach of the fundamental Right to Life guaranteed by Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It further violates the principle of Presumption of Innocence under Section 36, which states unequivocally that every citizen is innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
“The killing of a suspect in this manner is a direct violation of the rules of engagement and is contrary to Nigeria Police Force Order 237, an internal regulation which strictly limits the use of firearms to extreme situations where there is an imminent threat of death or serious injury.”
It continued, “This act violates regional and international legal frameworks, including Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), both of which strictly prohibit the arbitrary deprivation of life by state actors.”
The organisation further noted that available video evidence shows the deceased was restrained at the time of the shooting, raising serious questions about justification for the use of force.
While acknowledging reports that the officer involved has been arrested, ASF France stressed that detention alone was insufficient, insisting that only a transparent prosecution in a competent court would meet the demands of justice.
It urged authorities to move beyond internal disciplinary procedures and ensure that the case is independently investigated and fully prosecuted.
The group also called on the government to provide support for the bereaved family and ensure they are granted access to justice without delay.
“Ensure transparency by conducting a swift and impartial investigation into the full circumstances surrounding the shooting. Move beyond internal disciplinary measures to a formal prosecution in a court of law to ensure the culprit faces the full weight of the law. Offer support and a clear path to justice for the grieving family of Mene Ogidi,” the statement added.
ASF France warned that incidents of alleged extrajudicial killings undermine public confidence in law enforcement and weaken democratic governance, adding that it would continue to monitor proceedings to ensure accountability is achieved and justice is not obstructed.
