The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the extrajudicial killing of a suspect by a police officer in Delta State, describing the act as a “misguided show of power” that undermines the rule of law.

The condemnation follows a viral video circulating on social media, which captured the moment a restrained suspect was shot by an officer attached to the Nigeria Police Force in Delta State.

In the footage, the suspect was seen seated on the ground with his hands tied behind his back before being shot by a police officer in plain clothes.

Confirming the incident, the Delta State Police Command, through its spokesperson, Bright Edafe, disclosed that the officer involved, identified as Usman Nuhu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), has been arrested and transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for disciplinary proceedings.

Reacting in a statement, NBA President, Afam Osigwe, stressed that no law enforcement officer has the authority to assume the roles of prosecutor, judge, and executioner.

He described the act as arbitrary and unlawful, noting that it violated the constitutional presumption of innocence and further damaged the image of the police.

According to him, the incident highlights persistent allegations of human rights violations by security agencies, warning that failure to address such conduct could erode citizens’ fundamental freedoms and encourage a culture of impunity.

Osigwe also called for comprehensive accountability, insisting that investigations must extend beyond the officer who pulled the trigger to include any personnel who may have aided or abetted the act.

He urged authorities to ensure a transparent and speedy trial, cautioning that any attempt to shield those responsible would further diminish public trust in law enforcement institutions.

The NBA President further disclosed that the association’s human rights committees in Warri, Effurun, and Udu have been directed to monitor the case closely and ensure that justice is served.

He reiterated the NBA’s call for sweeping reforms in policing, particularly in areas of accountability and the use of force, while expressing solidarity with the victim’s family and reaffirming the association’s commitment to justice.