Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has visited Tunji Disu, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), as part of efforts to prevent recurring clashes between lawyers and police officers in the country.
Badejo-Okusanya, accompanied by members of the NBA executive committee, visited Disu at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
Speaking during the visit, the NBA president said stronger collaboration between the legal profession and the police is necessary to improve justice delivery and promote better professional relationships.
She said lawyers and police officers have complementary responsibilities within the justice system and should work together rather than engage in “unnecessary” confrontations.
Badejo-Okusanya said that under the UNICEF-supported initiative on children’s access to justice, the NBA was proposing the presence of a police lawyer at every police station to provide appropriate legal support to children who come into contact with the juvenile justice system.
For his part, Disu congratulated the NBA president on her election, noting that the meeting was an opportunity to build a stronger relationship between the police and the legal profession.
The IGP said respect for every individual, office and profession must remain fundamental to interactions between lawyers and police officers.
“While lawyers are principally concerned with protecting citizens’ rights and the police with protecting lives and property, the responsibilities of both institutions converge in the administration of justice,” he said.
Disu also called for greater professionalism in the recording and dissemination of encounters involving police officers.
He said police officers should not be subjected to ridicule or have their duties trivialised for social media entertainment.
The IGP identified improved professional engagement, reducing delays in criminal trials and establishing a dedicated NPF-NBA mechanism for communication as areas requiring sustained collaboration.
Disu said disagreements between lawyers and police officers could arise in the course of their respective duties but should be handled professionally and with civility.
He expressed his readiness to work with the new NBA leadership to strengthen the relationship between both institutions.
