Osaruese Gift, IHAZA

In Nigeria, there has been incessant abuse of its citizens’ rights by the Special Anti-robbery Squad(SARS) which led to popular EndSARS protest. SARS was controversial for its connection to extrajudicial killings,unlawful arrest, torture, lackmail, framing, extortuion, rape etc. Police brutality has resulted to resistance to police orders and activities by the citizens leading to legitimacy crisis.Victims of this harsh treatment are afraid to seek redress in court because they rarely receive justice. Even after the well-known ‘End SARS’ protest, citizens continue to complain about the police force's violent behavior. Moreover, the accused (police) often go free and are not apprehended for their crimes. This ongoing brutality has weakened the legal system and rendered it ineffective.The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police (Establishment)Act, international conventions, professional ethics and other statutes, regulate as well as constrain the use of force by police.Despite these regulations, the police in many societies resort to using extreme force beyond limits as permitted by law in discharging their duties and in the process grossly disregard of the rule of law. Hence,this work critically examines police brutality and the rule of law by assessing its legal framework, accountability mechanisms, and human rights implications resulting from the use of excessive force by the Nigeria Police Force. The research evaluates the effectiveness and sufficiency of existing laws in regulating police conduct and preventing human rights violations. Additionally, the study assesses the human rights consequences of police brutality, particularly violations of rights to life, liberty, dignity, and movement. Using doctrinal analysis, the research identifies institutional weaknesses that undermine adherence to the rule of law. The findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive reforms, better oversight, and increasing public trust to ensure lawful and accountable policing. The study ends with practical suggestions for enhancing accountability measures and safeguarding human rights within democratic governance.