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The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN), have pledged to strengthen collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the legal profession to improve justice delivery and reduce friction between police officers and lawyers.
The commitment was made on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the NBA President and members of the association's National Executive Committee to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, Badejo-Okusanya stressed the need for stronger synergy between the police and legal practitioners through improved engagement and specialised training. She said both professions play complementary roles in the administration of justice and called for an end to recurring confrontations between lawyers and police officers.
The NBA President also unveiled a UNICEF-supported initiative aimed at improving children's access to justice. She explained that the association is proposing 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.
Responding, IGP Disu congratulated Badejo-Okusanya on her election as NBA President and described the visit as an opportunity to build a stronger institutional relationship between the police and the legal profession. He emphasised that mutual respect for individuals, offices and professional responsibilities must remain central to their interactions.
The police chief also urged greater professionalism in recording and sharing encounters involving police officers, warning against ridiculing personnel or trivialising the challenges they face while carrying out their constitutional duties through social media content.
Disu identified closer professional engagement, measures to reduce delays in criminal trials and the establishment of a dedicated Nigeria Police Force-NBA communication mechanism as key areas for sustained cooperation. He said such a platform would help resolve professional concerns before they escalate into unnecessary disputes.
The IGP reaffirmed that the police and lawyers are partners in the pursuit of justice, adding that while disagreements may arise, they should always be managed with professionalism, civility and mutual respect. He pledged the Force's continued commitment to working with the NBA and other justice-sector stakeholders to protect fundamental rights, improve access to justice and build a more effective and trusted criminal justice system.
