NBA and Nigeria Police Forge Stronger Partnership to Improve Justice System
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Nigeria Police Force had important engagement to end recurring friction between lawyers and police officers, improve professional relations, and strengthen the administration of criminal justice in the country. Access to police stations, professional respect, juvenile justice, pro bono services, law reform, land and civil disputes, and stronger channels of communication between our institutions, were also discussed.
The move followed a courtesy visit by the President of the NBA, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, and members of the association’s National Executive Committee to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
At the meeting, both institutions agreed on the need for stronger collaboration, improved communication, and greater mutual respect in their shared responsibility to advance justice, protect fundamental rights, and ensure public safety.
The NBA President called for closer synergy between the Police and the legal profession, including specialised training programmes for lawyers and improved engagement between police lawyers and members of the Bar.
Mrs Badejo-Okusanya said the NBA remained committed to meeting the needs of its members across the country, stressing the need to end frequent confrontations between lawyers and police officers.
According to her, both professions have complementary roles in the justice system and should work together rather than engage in avoidable disputes.
She also highlighted a UNICEF-supported initiative to improve children’s access to justice.
Under the proposal, the NBA is advocating the deployment of a police lawyer to every police station to provide legal support for children who come into contact with the juvenile justice system.
The initiative, she said, was designed to ensure that vulnerable children receive adequate protection and support throughout the justice process.
Responding, Disu congratulated the NBA President on her emergence and described the visit as an opportunity to build a stronger, more structured relationship between the Nigeria Police Force and the legal profession.
He said mutual respect for individuals, offices, and professions must remain the foundation of interactions between the Police and lawyers.
The IGP noted that while lawyers primarily protect citizens’ rights and the Police safeguard lives and property, the responsibilities of both institutions converge in the administration of justice.
Disu also raised concerns about the recording and dissemination of encounters involving police officers, warning against subjecting personnel to ridicule or trivialising the challenging circumstances under which they discharge their duties for social media entertainment.
He said police officers often operate under difficult and dangerous conditions in fulfilling their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.
The IGP identified improved professional engagement, measures to reduce delays in criminal trials, and the establishment of a dedicated Nigeria Police Force/NBA mechanism for seamless communication as critical areas requiring sustained collaboration.
He said the proposed mechanism would provide a structured platform for addressing professional concerns, improving coordination, and resolving disagreements before they degenerate into unnecessary confrontations.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, who issued a statement on Tuesday about the meeting, said the IGP reaffirmed the Police’s commitment to working closely with the new NBA leadership and other justice sector stakeholders.
According to the statement, the IGP acknowledged that disagreements could arise between the Police and lawyers in the course of their respective duties, but insisted that such differences must be managed with professionalism, respect, and civility.
Disu expressed readiness to work with the NBA leadership to build a stronger, more productive partnership.
The Police, the statement added, remained committed to strengthening collaboration with the NBA and other justice-sector stakeholders to protect fundamental rights, improve access to justice, promote professionalism, and build a more effective, responsive, and trusted criminal justice system.
