We Are All Mene Ogidi!

By Osifo Osa Washington, LL.B HONS, B.L, LL.M, MPA, Ph.D,
Legal Practitioner | Political Scientist | Public Policy Expert | Administrator

The Extrajudicial Execution of Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State — The Law, The Liability, and The Legacy We Must Choose

1.0 FACTS: THE DEATH THAT WENT VIRAL

On April 26, 2026, at a motor park along the Warri–Sapele Expressway, Effurun, Uvwie LGA, Delta State, 28-year-old Mene Ogidi, _aka_ “OG Million,” was executed.

The viral video is evidence: He was already restrained — handcuffed/tied — pleading for his life. ASP Nuhu Usman of Effurun Area Command fired the fatal shot. This was not “Stop and Search.” This was “Stop, Restrain, and Shoot.”

The Delta State Police Command has admitted this violated Force Order 237 and the Standard Operating Procedure of the Nigeria Police Force. The facts are no longer in dispute. Only justice is.

2.0 COMMENDATION: SWIFT DISCIPLINE IS POSSIBLE WHEN LEADERSHIP IS CLEAR

I commend the Inspector General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, and the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, for their decisive response:

1. Immediate arrest of ASP Nuhu Usman and his transfer to Force Headquarters, Abuja.

2. Approval of the Force Disciplinary Committee’s recommendation for his dismissal and prosecution.

3. Public condemnationof the act as inconsistent with NPF standards.

4. Ongoing investigation at Force Headquarters to ensure a comprehensive probe.

5. Public assurance to the family of Mene Ogidi and Nigerians that justice will be served.

These actions reflect the institutional reforms currently underway in our security architecture.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, deserves commendation for providing the policy environment that enables such accountability:

1. The Renewed Hope Agenda prioritized security sector reform and professionalization of the Nigeria Police Force.

2. The full implementation of the Police Act 2020 under this administration has strengthened internal disciplinary mechanisms.

3. Improved welfare packages for officers are restoring the dignity and morale of the Force.

4. Your non-interference in disciplinary matters has empowered the IGP to act swiftly and without fear. An ASP dismissed and marked for prosecution within 72 hours is unprecedented in our recent history.

5. Your administration’s focus on addressing poverty and unemployment through the Students Loan Act and other social interventions targets the root causes of crime and insecurity.

Mr. President, these reforms are saving lives by preventing abuse. But we must now codify them so that justice does not depend on the goodwill of any one administration. We urge you to consider an Executive Order on mandatory body cameras and a statutory Victims Compensation Fund. Law, not luck, must protect Nigerians.

3.0 THE LAW: THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF DELTA STATE MUST ACT IMMEDIATELY ADMINISTRATIVE STEPS CONCLUDE

3.1 Constitutional Mandate — Section 211, 1999 Constitution
The Attorney General of Delta State “shall have power to institute and undertake criminal proceedings against any person before any court of law in Nigeria… in respect of any offence created by or under any law of the House of Assembly.”

Murder is an offence under Section 316 of the Criminal Code Law of Delta State. ASP Nuhu Usman is “any person.” Therefore, the Delta AG can — and must — file charges.

3.2 The Process Is Clear, and Delay Is Injustice
As confirmed by the Nigerian Bar Association and established police procedure:

1. Administrative dismissal via orderly room trial — already recommended by the IGP and FDC.

2. Handover for criminal prosecution — already ordered by the IGP.

3. Police investigation report sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Delta State Ministry of Justice.

4. Formal filing of murder charge under Section 319 Criminal Code at the High Court, Effurun — may be initiated at the Magistrate Court for remand.

The Nigerian Bar Association has publicly stated that any attempt to shield or delay the prosecution of ASP Usman will be resisted. Accordingly, I advise the Hon. Attorney General of Delta State to act immediately the administrative steps are concluded, and to ensure such steps are concluded expeditiously.

The law does not sleep. The people of Delta are watching. The world is watching. Justice delayed in this matter will be justice buried.

3.3 Judicial Precedents — Supreme Court Has Already Decided This Case

1. Adeyemi v. State 3 NWLR Pt. 1340 Pg. 1 — Police have no power to execute suspects.

2. Gani Fawehinmi v. IGP 7 NWLR Pt. 767 Pg. 606 — No officer can be accuser, judge, and executioner.

3. Onuoha Kalu v. State 13 NWLR Pt. 583 Pg. 531 — Extrajudicial killing = murder under Section 319 Criminal Code.

4. Abacha v. Fawehinmi 6 NWLR Pt. 660 Pg. 228 — International treaties on right to life are enforceable in Nigeria.(2013)(2002)(1998)

The law is settled. The video is evidence. The IGP has dismissed. The next forum is the High Court of Delta State.

4.0 DUAL LIABILITIES: THE OFFICER AND THE STATE WILL PAY

4.1 Criminal Liability of ASP Nuhu Usman
i. Section 316 & 319, Criminal Code Law of Delta State — Murder. Punishment: death.
ii. Section 2, Anti-Torture Act 2017 — 25 years imprisonment.
iii. Section 128, Criminal Code — Abuse of office.

Relief sought: Immediate arraignment upon completion of administrative steps. The Attorney General of Delta State must file charges without delay.

4.2 Civil Liability of the Nigeria Police Force & Federal Government
Odogu v. A.G Federation 6 NWLR Pt. 456 Pg. 508: The State is vicariously liable for unlawful acts of its agents.
Available remedies for the Ogidi Family:

1. Fundamental Rights Action — Section 46 Constitution. Breach of right to life.

2. Tort of Battery & Negligence — Against NPF & ASP Usman.

3. Compensation — Section 35(6) Constitution. Given NHRC precedents, N500,000,000.00 is the floor, not the ceiling.

4. ECOWAS Court Action — _SERAP v. FRN_.(1996)

5.0 MORAL & POLICY IMPERATIVES: FROM EFFURUN TO THE WORLD

As a Political Scientist: State legitimacy dies when citizens film their own executions. Weber’s monopoly of violence requires a monopoly of justice.

As a former public servant: Security is the first infrastructure. No community develops when young men fear the uniform more than criminals.

As a Researcher: Data from CLEEN Foundation 2025 shows 1 in 3 Nigerians distrust the police because of extrajudicial killings. You cannot police a people who mourn your badge.

As a Lawyer: The courtroom is the only altar where life may be taken. ASP Usman built a shrine on the Warri–Sapele Expressway. We must tear it down with law.

6.0 PRAYERS — WHAT MUST HAPPEN NEXT

To the Federal Government & President Tinubu:

1. Gazette ASP Usman’s dismissal within 7 days.

2. Sign Executive Order — Mandatory body cameras for all tactical units.

3. Create Victims of Police Abuse Compensation Fund — N10bn seed capital.

4. Establish Special Division of Federal High Court for Crimes Against Humanity by State Actors.

To the IGP Tunji Disu:
You have started well. Now finish well. Publish a “Monthly Death in Custody Report.” Transfer is not justice. Dismissal is not justice.

Conviction + Compensation = Justice.

To the Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Delta State:

1. Expedite receipt and review of the police investigation file from Force Headquarters.

2. Upon conclusion of administrative steps, file Charge for murder against Nuhu Usman at the High Court, Effurun within 7 days of receipt. The NBA and civil society are ready to hold a watching brief.

3. Oppose any application for bail. Murder is not bailable under Section 161, ACJL Delta State.

4. Join as co-plaintiff with the Ogidi family in the civil action for N500m compensation.

To the Delta State Government & CP Delta:

1. State burial for Mene Ogidi with full honours.

2. Rename the motor park bay where he died to “Mene Ogidi Justice Park.”

3. Full scholarship for his dependents.

To Nigerians:
Film. Petition. Sue. The viral video secured ASP Usman’s arrest. The next video must not be a funeral. It must be a conviction.

7.0 CONCLUSION: WE ARE ALL MENE OGIDI

Mene Ogidi went to pick a waybill. He got a death sentence. He was 28. He was restrained. He was begging. And he was Nigerian.

If the IGP can dismiss and prosecute in 72 hours, then Nigeria can work. If we can make an example of ASP Usman, then we can make a country of laws.

I speak today not as an aspirant, not as a former Commissioner, but as a Nigerian, a lawyer, and a father. I speak for Effurun. I speak for Mene Ogidi. I speak for the Constitution.

May his death be the last execution without trial.

May his blood water the tree of justice.

May Nigeria choose law over the trigger.

God bless the family of Mene Ogidi.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!