By Odita Sunday
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, have agreed to strengthen collaboration between the Police and the legal profession to reduce recurring confrontations and improve justice delivery.
The agreement was reached on Tuesday when the NBA president and members of the Association’s National Executive Committee visited the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, Badejo-Okusanya called for closer cooperation between lawyers and the Police, particularly through specialised training for lawyers and improved engagement between Police lawyers and members of the wider Bar.
She stressed the need to end recurring clashes between lawyers and police officers, noting that both professions have complementary roles in the administration of justice.
The NBA president also highlighted a UNICEF-supported initiative on children’s access to justice, under which the Association is proposing that a Police lawyer be available at every police station to provide appropriate legal support to children who come into contact with the juvenile justice system.
She said the proposal was aimed at ensuring that vulnerable children receive adequate legal protection and support throughout the justice process.
Responding, Disu congratulated Badejo-Okusanya on her emergence as NBA president and described the visit as an opportunity to build a stronger and more structured relationship between the Police and the legal profession.
The IGP said respect for every individual, office and profession must remain fundamental to professional interactions, noting that while lawyers are primarily concerned with protecting citizens’ rights and the Police are charged with protecting lives and property, the responsibilities of both institutions converge in the administration of justice.
Disu also called for greater professionalism in the recording and dissemination of encounters involving police officers, warning against situations where officers are subjected to ridicule or their difficult working conditions trivialised for social media entertainment.
He said police personnel often operate under challenging circumstances while carrying out their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.
The IGP identified improved professional engagement, reduction of delays in criminal trials and the establishment of a dedicated Nigeria Police Force/NBA communication mechanism as key areas for sustained collaboration.
According to him, the proposed mechanism would provide a structured channel for addressing professional concerns, improving coordination and resolving disagreements before they escalate into unnecessary confrontations.
Disu reaffirmed that the Police and the legal profession remain partners in the pursuit of justice, acknowledging that disagreements could arise in the course of their respective duties.
He, however, stressed that such differences must be handled professionally, respectfully and with civility.
The IGP expressed his readiness to work with the new NBA leadership to deepen cooperation between both institutions and strengthen the criminal justice system.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to collaborating with the NBA and other justice-sector stakeholders to protect fundamental rights, improve access to justice, promote professionalism and build a more effective and trusted criminal justice system.
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