•To set up joint committee for human rights, rule of law promotion
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, on Wednesday , August 4, 2021, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to the advancement of the criminal justice processes in Nigeria.
The IGP made the reaffirmation during a courtesy visit by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Barrister Olumide A. Akpata, to the NPF leadership at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Barrister Akpata was accompanied by other executive members of the NBA, according to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba on Thursday, August 5.
During the visit, the IGP pledged that the Force would work with the NBA in a joint committee which would soon be established.
He said that the committee would aim at harmonizing functions and developing new framework and protocols for promoting due process and the rule of law, dealing with issues of unnecessary antagonism between police officers and defence attorneys, and promoting respect for the rights and privileges of the citizens during criminal investigations.
The IGP further stated that the collaboration would also assist in promoting a seamless working relationship between police officers and defense attorneys, with the committee drawing its members from both the Bar and the NPF.
Saying that the Force had one of the largest pool of licensed legal practitioners in the country, the IGP revealed that there were plans in place for effective utilization of lawyers in the Force, as well as advancing professionalism for others.
In his comments, the President of the NBA appreciated the IGP for the various reforms being championed by the current police leadership, especially those bordering on promoting the rights and privileges of the citizens.
Akpata advocated more goodwill between the police and members of the Bar as cardinal players within the Nigerian criminal justice system.
He also commended the Police Complaint Response Unit for always responding to complaints and issues of frictions between defence lawyers and the police.
Other members of the NBA delegation were NBA Vice President, Barrister John Aikpokpo Martins; General Secretary, Mrs Joyce Oduah; Barrister Tunde Edun, Barrister Benard Oniga and Barrister Isah Abubakar Aliyu.
