A Nigerian lawyer, Inibehe Effiong has publicly criticised actress Nkechi Blessing following her revelation that she had a gymgoer arrested for allegedly taking her photograph without her consent at a public gym.
Earlier reports revealed that the actress disclosed online that she ensured the arrest of the lady who secretly took her photo, describing the action as a serious breach of her privacy and a disrespect to her personal boundaries.
Lawyer reacts Nkechi’s disclosure
Reacting to the incident, the lawyer questioned why a public figure would resort to involving the police over a photograph taken in a public place where there is little expectation of privacy.
He described the situation as a reflection of misplaced priorities in Nigeria, stating that law enforcement agencies should be focusing on more serious matters rather than being used to settle personal grievances between citizens.
He further expressed disappointment in the police for responding to such a complaint, arguing that the force continues to embarrass itself by taking actions that portray a misunderstanding of basic civil rights and public conduct.
The criticism comes after Nkechi Blessing emotionally recounted how she confronted the individual who snapped her at the gym and went ahead to report the matter to the authorities, leading to an arrest.
According to the actress, she felt violated by the action and insisted that her privacy should be respected regardless of her celebrity status.
However, the lawyer maintained that being photographed in a public place does not automatically amount to a criminal offence and advised public figures to seek lawful and civil ways of addressing such issues instead of invoking police power unnecessarily.
The lawyer wrote …
“You, a public figure, instigated the police to arrest someone for taking a photo of you in a public place?
We are so unserious in this country.
The police keeps disgracing itself.”
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