The National Youth Service (NYS) has clarified a video circulating on social media that shows an altercation between an NYS officer and a civilian.
In a statement dated October 4, the Service said the incident is not recent and that it brought the matter to the attention of the relevant authorities when it occurred two years ago.
“The Service wishes to clarify that the incident is not recent. The matter occurred two years ago and was promptly brought to the attention of the relevant authorities and appropriately dealt with in accordance with established procedure,” the notice stated.
NYS Position on Officer Conduct
According to NYS, it does not condone violence, misconduct, or the abuse of authority by its personnel.
The Service described itself as a disciplined institution founded on respect for the law, professionalism, integrity, and responsible conduct.
The service also emphasized that it addresses conduct inconsistent with its values through appropriate administrative and legal mechanisms.
Following the clarification, the service urged the public not to be alarmed or misled by the circulation of the video, which has been made to look like a recent event despite the two-year gap between the incident and the video’s release.
The Service also affirmed its commitment to maintaining discipline and professionalism among its personnel.
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Details of the Video
The video shows NYS officers confronting and assaulting a male civilian passenger inside a vehicle.
Footage shows the passenger seated as the officers strike him, while he raises his arms to shield himself from the blows, as the officers also shout expletives at him during the confrontation.
At one point, one officer is heard warning the passenger to prepare for further beating while another officer is seen looking for an object before using a whip during the assault.
However, the passenger does not appear to retaliate.
How NYS Handles Disciplinary Cases Against Officers
The National Youth Service has a formal disciplinary framework that governs how it investigates, hears, and addresses complaints against its officers under the National Youth Service Act (Cap. 208) and the National Youth Service (Disciplinary Procedure) Regulations, 2021.
Through the framework, the service has guided procedures for handling misconduct allegations, including complaints involving violence, abusive language, and other offenses against discipline.
The regulations are contained in Legal Notice No. 8 of 2021, while offenses against discipline are set out in the Fourth Schedule to the NYS Act.
NYS Act lists several acts that may constitute offenses against discipline, including unlawfully striking, using, or threatening violence against another officer or any other person.
An officer may also face disciplinary action where the conduct amounts to a criminal offense under another law.
In such circumstances, administrative disciplinary proceedings may run alongside criminal proceedings before a court.
How to Make Complaints Against Officers
A disciplinary case against an NYS officer may begin after a complaint is submitted either orally or in writing.
The Director-General records an oral complaint in writing using the prescribed form and then notifies the complainant.
Where an investigation is required, the Director-General appoints an investigating officer of a higher rank than the officer facing the allegations, who must not have a direct interest in the case.
The investigation is completed within 14 days, although an extension may be granted where necessary, and the investigating officer must prepare an abstract of evidence detailing the findings.
If the evidence supports a disciplinary charge, the investigator prepares a formal charge sheet and provides the accused officer with the evidence abstract.
The presiding officer then conducts a full inquiry and allows the accused to be heard.
An officer is entitled to the benefit of the doubt where the facts remain unclear, and the accused cannot be punished twice for the same offense.
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Penalties Available Under NYS Law
Section 34 of the National Youth Service Act provides several penalties when an officer is convicted of an offense against discipline, including a reprimand, an order for restitution, and stoppage of salary increments for up to one year.
Other penalties include demotion in rank, dismissal, and confinement to base for up to 14 days.
An officer may also face a salary reduction of up to one-third of basic salary for up to three months, extra drills, parades, or fatigues, with the law allowing combinations of the penalties.
The relevant register also records any disciplinary penalty imposed.
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