GEOG OFFICIAL DISPATCH ABOUT HOW CRIM— NIGERIA POLICE FORCE COMMAND
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Global Executive Order of Governance
Office of the Authorization Signatory
Okughele Oha-Orerokpe, Delta State, Nigeria • defenseacademyroyal@gmail.com
Sir,
1. Current Situation Requiring Review
GEOG notes the June 3, 2026 statement by Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, confirming the arrest of 144 persons for alleged street begging, including adults, teenagers, and 9 children at CMS[cite: 9]. While children were reportedly handed to the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, the arrest of handicapped and vulnerable adults raises clear constitutional concerns[cite: 9].
2. The Legal Standing of Beggars: Right to Seek Assistance
The core value of begging is not rooted in evil but in deep human need for assistance[cite: 9]. The handicapped really need assistance[cite: 9]. It is legal to seek assistance as long as there is no force, fraud, or psychological coercion[cite: 9]. Being direct with one’s situation is legal[cite: 9]. If someone begs for a living, it is not illegal[cite: 9]. Citizens give money freely at parties, churches, and public events[cite: 9]. Assistive conduct is legal and protected under the fundamental right to dignity of the human person, Chapter IV, 1999 Constitution[cite: 9].
3. Reform Through Registration, Not Criminalization
Arresting beggars worsens their situation emotionally and is against free will[cite: 9]. They are not happy that they are beggars in the first place, and now the State is making them feel hopeless of their situations instead of making them feel hopeful[cite: 9]. The lawful approach is to reform them by registering them as persons seeking assistance, not as criminals[cite: 9]. Registration allows the State to profile needs, provide disability aids, medical care, and track rehabilitation[cite: 9]. Criminalization only attaches stigma and despair[cite: 9].
4. Government’s Duty to Fund, Not Punish
Governments are to fund these individuals[cite: 9]. It would have been better if we heard that the Lagos Government gave 144 beggars financial assistance and business startup funding, rather than arrest[cite: 9]. The State’s resources should establish:
- A formal Disability & Vulnerability Registry for handicapped beggars[cite: 9].
- Monthly stipends or feeding support under social development budgets[cite: 9].
- Business startup grants and micro-enterprise training for able-bodied beggars[cite: 9].
- Direct medical allocation and mobility aids for the disabled[cite: 9].
Arrest without alternatives violates the foundational principle that the State exists for the welfare and security of the people, pursuant to Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution[cite: 9].
5. Independent Duty of the Nigeria Police Force
If these arrests were suggested by Governmental Officials, the Nigeria Police Force must remember your independent legal duty to uphold the constitutional system irrespective of personality or office status[cite: 9]. The Constitution governs by rights, not emotion[cite: 9]. If an act is not constitutionally wrong, do not enforce it as wrong[cite: 9]. If it is constitutionally wrong, then your action is protected because few have powers to change the Constitution and later judge you with it[cite: 9].
6. Risk of Institutional Misuse and Future Reprisal
Several persons might be using this medium to hinder the Police Force by making arrests routine[cite: 9]. Some beggars are targeted retirees from professions who were streamlined by politically ambitious Governments[cite: 9]. Some current Officials sneak into Government to repay past administrations for acts committed while in office[cite: 9]. Officers must understand that such situations may cause affected individuals to later enter Government and retaliate against officers who conducted these arrests[cite: 9]. These transactions of aggression later affect Law Enforcement retirees because they were used by cultism oriented individuals who sneak into Governance[cite: 9].
7. GEOG Recommendations
- Halt criminalization of non-coercive begging, especially by the handicapped[cite: 9].
- Convert June 3 arrests to registration: Profile the 144 captured persons and immediately transition them into active social welfare programs[cite: 9].
- Issue a Force Order directing that no person shall be detained for seeking assistance absent proof of force, fraud, or child exploitation[cite: 9].
- Collaborate with the Ministry of Youth and Social Development to fund the 144 persons with startup capital or disability support, and publicly publish the outcome[cite: 9].
Oki Raphael Efe
CEO, Aquatech Fabrication Ltd[cite: 9]
📞 +2347012123783 | ✉️ okiraphaelefe@gmail.com[cite: 9]
1. Police Service Commission[cite: 9]
2. National Human Rights Commission[cite: 9]
3. Attorney General of the Federation[cite: 9]
4. Lagos State Commissioner of Police[cite: 9]
5. Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development[cite: 9]
All Legal Brief Archives are Registered Under the Supervision of Aquatech Fabrication Ltd[cite: 9].