Last week, a video suggesting that NBS TV presenter MC Casmir had been nabbed committing adultery hit the web. The video was allegedly recorded by one of the police officers who were tasked by a man believed to be the husband of the woman Casmir was caught with.
In the video, Casmir was forced to apologize and said he was forever going to regret the act. He is, however, having a laugh after police arresting one of the officers who recorded the video. According to a statement by the police spokesperson Fred Enanga, there was no criminal offence committed by Casmir, recording him was the wrong thing.
“Last week, we witnessed an incident where a shameful incident of adultery, a purely civil matter, was criminalized and responded to by inspector of police, Julius Ogwang Of Kira Road Police Station. The two victims were arrested and interrogated on camera, in a manner that violated their privacy. Adultery is no longer a criminal offence in our country. Therefore, criminalizing it, is an act of unprofessionalism and abuse of authority, which the force cannot tolerate,” reads a statement by the police in part.
“We also want to cation, all married persons whether in estranged, complex or sensitive relationships, to respect the sanctity of marriage and use lawful means, instead of smearing one’s reputation. Adultery, can, however, be used as a ground for civil processes like divorce, separation, custody of children and sharing of property. Other areas where the public, in conspiracy with selected officers, criminalize civil matters are private debts, where thousands are threatened with arrest.”
“We strongly condemn the criminalization of civil matters in police. The officer who registered the case, IP Ogwang Julius, is arrested and charged with discreditable conduct, which upon conviction, can lead to dismissal from the force. Our action, therefore, should act as a warning to other undisciplined officers, who look to gain from proceeds of their selfish interests, at the expense of the UPF mandate. The role of the police in civil conflicts, complaints and disagreements is to protect life and property,”
“However, there are other circumstances, were victimised married person, can report their matters to police. These include complaints of elopement, where one elopes with a married person and stays with them, trafficking in persons, where a person uses their power or positions of superiority and takes advantage of the victim’s vulnerability or disability, and under domestic violence, where the victim is tortured physically or emotionally, by the sexual behaviour of a married partner.”
