In this guest essay, Gabriel Mohammed Shuwa examines the National Industrial Court's decision in Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association v. Police Service Commission & 5 Others, exploring its implications for legal representation within the Nigeria Police Force, professional regulation, and institutional governance in Nigeria.

Most people walk into a police station and begin speaking long before they understand their rights. This practical guide explains what to say, what not to say, and how the Police Act 2020 protects suspects during arrest, questioning, and detention in Nigeria.

“You have the right to remain silent” is often treated as a line from American movies, but the principle exists firmly within Nigerian law. This article explains the legal basis of the right to remain silent, how it operates during police encounters, and why understanding it can fundamentally change the way citizens engage with authority.