Nigeria Police Disciplinary Action Against ASP Signals Deeper Crisis of Accountability in West African Policing
The Report
As reported by THEWILL, the Nigeria Police Force has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Newton Isokpehi following the circulation of a viral video in which the officer was seen issuing threats to citizens filming police activities. The footage, which drew widespread condemnation on social media, captured the officer allegedly warning members of the public against recording police operations.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, confirmed that the officer’s conduct had been deemed unacceptable and unprofessional. The statement further noted that ASP Isokpehi had been summoned to the Anambra State Police Command headquarters, where disciplinary procedures have commenced. The Police reiterated the position of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, affirming that citizens retain the lawful right to record police officers performing their duties, provided such recording does not obstruct operations or compromise safety.
“The conduct and utterances exhibited in the video are unacceptable, unprofessional, and inconsistent with the ethics, standards, and code of conduct of the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement read.
The Force assured the public that the outcome of the disciplinary measures would be communicated in due course.
WANA Regional Analysis
This incident, while seemingly a routine internal disciplinary matter, carries significant implications for policing standards and civil liberties across West Africa. The Nigeria Police Force, as the largest law enforcement agency in the region, often sets a precedent for policing practices in neighbouring ECOWAS member states. The swift public acknowledgment of the officer’s misconduct and the reaffirmation of citizens’ rights to record police activities represent a notable, if cautious, step toward institutional accountability.
From a regional governance perspective, the case highlights a persistent tension between security forces and civilian oversight that is not unique to Nigeria. Across the ECOWAS bloc, from Ghana to Sierra Leone, citizens have increasingly used mobile phone recordings to document alleged police abuses, often facing intimidation or retaliation. The Nigeria Police’s explicit endorsement of this right, even as it disciplines an officer for violating it, sends a signal that could influence policy debates in other West African capitals where similar legal protections remain ambiguous or unenforced.
The broader implications for the ECOWAS region suggest that the incident may accelerate calls for harmonised regional standards on police accountability and citizen engagement. The ECOWAS Commission, through its Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, has previously advocated for community-based policing reforms. This case provides a concrete example of the gap between policy rhetoric and on-the-ground practice, potentially strengthening the case for binding regional protocols on police conduct and civilian oversight mechanisms.
Economically, the erosion of public trust in law enforcement has direct consequences for investment and business confidence. Inconsistent policing, particularly the threat of harassment during commercial activities or infrastructure projects, raises the risk premium for foreign direct investment in the region. The Nigeria Police’s handling of this incident, if perceived as genuinely reformist, could marginally improve investor sentiment toward the Nigerian market, which remains the largest economy in West Africa.
From a security standpoint, the incident underscores the challenge of reforming deeply entrenched institutional cultures within police forces. The fact that a senior officer—an ASP—felt empowered to threaten citizens for exercising a lawful right suggests that such attitudes may be widespread. The disciplinary action, while necessary, is unlikely to address the systemic issues without broader training, oversight, and cultural change within the force. Regional security cooperation, particularly in joint operations against transnational crime, could be undermined if partner forces perceive Nigerian policing as unreliable or abusive.
Historically, West African governments have struggled to balance the need for robust law enforcement with the protection of civil liberties. The legacy of colonial policing models, which prioritised regime security over public service, continues to shape institutional behaviour. This incident, and the official response to it, represents a small but significant test of whether contemporary reforms can overcome that legacy.
Regional Backdrop
The Nigeria Police Force has been under sustained pressure to reform, both from domestic civil society and international partners. The #EndSARS protests of 2020, which demanded an end to police brutality and the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), marked a watershed moment in public consciousness. Since then, the Force has introduced several reform initiatives, including the establishment of a Complaint Response Unit and the deployment of body-worn cameras in some units. However, implementation has been uneven, and incidents like the one involving ASP Isokpehi suggest that reform has not yet permeated all levels of the institution.
Across the ECOWAS region, similar challenges persist. In Ghana, the Police Service has faced criticism over the use of force during political protests. In Côte d’Ivoire, post-election violence in 2020 raised questions about police impartiality. The regional body has adopted the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework, which includes provisions for security sector reform, but member states have been slow to implement these commitments. The Nigeria Police’s handling of this case may therefore serve as a bellwether for the region’s broader willingness to embrace accountable policing.
Original Reporting By:
THEWILL