By JOSEPHINE SOLANKE

Some Lagos-based legal practitioners have said police officers require a court order to search citizens’ phones or rummage through their bags during stop-and-search operations.

The lawyers expressed the views in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

They were reacting to social media videos showing encounters where youths were allegedly harassed and wrongly profiled during police stop-and-search operations.

According to them, such actions infringe on privacy rights and exceed established legal limits.

A legal practitioner, Mr Bayo Akinlade of Duty Solicitors Network, said citizens had the right to question officers and demand reasons for any search.

Akinlade advised citizens to open their bags themselves and display the contents to avoid possible evidence planting.

He added that individuals had the right to remain silent and request immediate legal representation during questioning.

Another lawyer, Mr Vincent Aminu of A.F. Aminu and Co., said, “It is important to verify an officer’s identity through a name tag or identification card before any search.”

Aminu noted that citizens had the right to request proper identification from officers during such operations.

He advised youths against escalating stop-and-search situations through rude remarks to officers, urging them to remain calm.

Aminu also encouraged citizens to seek legal counsel and file formal complaints in cases of alleged harassment during operations.

Similarly, Mr Tunde Fatola of R.O. Ogunwole Chambers said gathering evidence through recordings during alleged harassment was important.

He noted that citizens had the right to legal representation before making statements after an arrest. (NAN)

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