A viral video showing Pastor Paul Adefarasin of House on the Rock appearing to point a gun-like object at a TikToker in Lagos has reignited debate about whether stun guns, tasers, and similar self-defence tools are legal in Nigeria.
While the object in question was not confirmed to be a firearm, closer analysis suggests it resembled a compact stun gun, a device used to deliver electric shocks and often designed to mimic the appearance of a pistol.
- A viral video showing Pastor Paul Adefarasin of House on the Rock appearing to point a gun-like object at a TikToker in Lagos has reignited debate about whether stun guns, tasers, and similar self-defence tools are legal in Nigeria.
- EDITOR’S PICKS
- Did Pastor Paul Adefarasin Point Gun at TikToker in Lagos Traffic?
- What to Know About Tinubu’s Crackdown On Alleged Land Racketeering in Lagos
- Clean Future: How Lagos Plans to Create ‘35 Million Jobs’ Through Climate Action
- What the Police Say: Categorical Prohibition
- What the Law Actually Says: It Depends on the Intent
- Adefarasin’s Case: Use of Force or Show of Power?
- Conclusion: Not Outright Illegal, But Context Is Everything
EDITOR’S PICKS
The incident has raised important legal and ethical questions: Are ordinary Nigerians allowed to carry stun guns? Does context, such as self-defence versus intimidation, matter in the eyes of the law? EKO HOT BLOG explains everything you need to know in this report.
What the Police Say: Categorical Prohibition
In response to public inquiries, top police officials have insisted that stun guns and similar devices are not permitted under Nigerian law.
In 2023, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force, tweeted that “the law of Nigeria doesn’t permit individuals to own these items,” although he cited no specific legislation.
A similar stance was taken by ACP Abayomi Shogunle in 2018, who described pepper spray as an “offensive weapon” and cited Section 417 of the Criminal Code, a provision that penalises carrying dangerous items with intent to commit a felony.
However, legal experts have pushed back, arguing that these interpretations are either incorrect or overly broad.
What the Law Actually Says: It Depends on the Intent
According to constitutional and human rights lawyers, there is no law that explicitly bans the possession of stun guns or pepper sprays for self-defence in Nigeria. Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees the right to life and implicitly recognises the right to self-defence using proportionate force.
Legal analyst Inibehe Effiong points out that pepper spray, and by extension stun guns, are not classified as firearms under the Firearms Act.
“The possession and use of pepper spray for defensive purposes is not a crime,” he told Dubawa.
Mojirayo Nkanga, another lawyer, emphasises that intention is key. It is not the mere possession of such devices that constitutes a crime, but their use in an unlawful or aggressive manner.
“There’s a part of [Section 417 of the Criminal Code] that mustn’t be disregarded, which is, does the person in possession have the intention to break or enter a dwelling house? The prosecution counsel will labour if they think this provision is a freeway,” she stated.
Jiti Ogunye, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), reinforces this view, explaining that while using a stun gun to attack someone without justification may constitute an offence, using it in genuine self-defence is entirely lawful unless a new executive order or law specifically bans such tools.
“Handling a rifle without a licence under the Firearms Act is a crime. The use of pepper spray or a stun gun as a weapon of attack unjustifiably is a criminal offence,” he said, adding, “Using pepper spray for self-defence is not a crime because it’s self-defence, and that’s what the law says.”
Adefarasin’s Case: Use of Force or Show of Power?
In the case of Pastor Adefarasin, the issue is not just about possession but about the implied use. The object, widely believed to be a stun gun, was pointed at a civilian in what many saw as an act of intimidation.
While the cleric denies brandishing a firearm and dismisses the criticism as “mischief,” he has not clarified what he held in his hand.
Legal experts suggest that if the device was used not to repel an imminent threat but to assert dominance or scare someone, it may be ethically questionable, even if not explicitly illegal. The law permits force in defence, not intimidation.
Conclusion: Not Outright Illegal, But Context Is Everything
Contrary to police pronouncements, Nigerian law does not impose a blanket ban on pepper sprays or stun guns. Their legality depends heavily on context and intent. Used to defend oneself against genuine threats, such devices fall within a citizen’s constitutional rights. Used to intimidate or attack without cause, they can quickly cross into criminal territory.
FURTHER READING
Until Nigeria enacts clear, specific regulations on self-defence tools, confusion and controversy will persist.
Philip Ibitoye is a Special Correspondent with EKO HOT BLOG. Click here to find daily analysis and insight on trending issues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
Watch the video of the week below:
