The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) says refusal to assist officers under attack could result in a fine of N100,000 and a prison term of up to three months.

In a tweet on Sunday, Muyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson, said anyone who fails to assist a police officer in distress is committing an offence.

“Section 98 Police Act 2020: A person who assaults, obstructs or resists a police officer in the discharge of his duty, or aids or incites any other person to assault, obstruct or resist a police officer or other person aiding or assisting the police officer in the discharge of his duty commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N500,000 or imprisonment for a term of six months or both,” Adejobi wrote on X.

“Section 99, Police Act 2020: When a person is called upon to aid and assist a police officer who is, while in the discharge of his duty, assaulted or resisted or in danger of being assaulted or resisted, and the person refuses or neglects to aid and assist, the person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N100,000 or imprisonment for a term of three months or both.

“Section 42 of the Police Act 2020: A person is bound to assist a judge, magistrate or police officer or other person reasonably demanding his aid in arresting or preventing the escape of a suspect whom the judge, magistrate, police officer or other person is authorized to arrest.”

Adejobi’s statement comes after a viral video surfaced, showing a confrontation between a woman and a police officer.

Aminu Babba Dan’Agundi, senior counsel to the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, has announced plans to contest the recent Court of Appeal judgment favoring the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, at the Supreme Court.

Dan’Agundi, who also holds the title of Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate, initially sought to enforce fundamental human rights at the Federal High Court, alleging violations during the contentious emirship dispute.

Speaking from the Nassarawa Mini Palace, Dan’Agundi expressed dissatisfaction with the appellate court’s decision and vowed to seek redress. “The emirship crisis is far from over. No one can claim victory yet because we are challenging this ruling at the Supreme Court,” he stated.

He revealed that his legal team had been directed to obtain a certified true copy of the judgment, emphasizing that filing an appeal at the Supreme Court would effectively stay the lower court’s decision until the case is conclusively resolved.

Dan’Agundi explained the appellate court’s judgment, noting that the presiding judge had suggested transferring the case to the state’s Chief Judge to ensure a fair hearing. “The court did not dismiss our claims outright but ruled that it lacked jurisdiction,” he said.

He further clarified: “Two of the judges disagreed with the lead judgment, resulting in the appeal being struck out. This is why I am taking the matter to the Supreme Court. Whatever decision is made there will be final, and we submit to the will of Allah. Until then, no one should celebrate victory prematurely.”

Dan’Agundi urged Kano residents to remain calm and law-abiding as the legal proceedings continue, assuring them that the matter would be resolved through due process.

A former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo has paid tribute to the late American President Jimmy Carter, recalling how the former US leader visited Nigeria to plead for his release during the reign of military junta leader Sani Abacha.

Obasanjo spoke on Sunday at a memorial service in honour of Carter who died at 100.

“President Carter was one of my foreign friends who stuck their necks out to save my life and to seek my release from prison. On President Carter’s visit to Nigeria, he got Abacha to agree to take me from detention to house arrest on my farm,” Obasanjo said during the event held at the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

“But that did not last for too long. Many other friends and leaders intervened, but President Carter was the only non-African leader, according to my information, that paid a visit to Abacha solely to plead for my release.”

‘I was moved to tears’

The Abacha regime arrested Obasanjo in 1995 owing to an alleged coup plot. However, the former president was released after Abacha’s demise in 1998.

The following year, Obasanjo became Nigeria’s president, elected under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“In the U.S., I called on President Carter, who told me all the efforts he made with other leaders and Abacha remaining unyielding for my release. But the most surprising thing Carter said to me was, ‘Please, see Ted Turner and thank him for his generosity. He came to me and asked me to get his friend, Obasanjo, released from prison. I will take care of him and his family here or wherever he chooses to live.’ I was touched and moved to tears,” the former president told the gathering, describing the late Carter as his friend whom he will miss.

“For me, I would miss a great and true friend, but I know we shall meet again in Paradise. May his soul rest in peace,” the 87-year-old said.

Obasanjo extolled Carter’s virtues and said the former US president lived an exemplary life of service to humanity.