More than 500 Police lawyers spread across the Nigerian Police Force, Force headquarters, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, Inspector-General of Police, described as unfortunate the underutilisation.
Adamu said, “The time has come for us to alter this narrative. This is more so that the new orientation envisioned for the Police under our leadership is that which is driven by respect for rule of law and professional proficiency in the investigative and prosecution functions of the Nigeria Police’
“The achievement of these requires that the legal department of the Nigeria Police be reorganised, refocussed, and empowered to effectively lead the process. It is in cognizance of this that this meeting was conceptualised.”
It will be recalled that Nigerian Police lawyers had successfully prosecuted landmark cases, some of which have become landmark references in legal practice in the country, as the IG expressed happiness that several others have deepened their knowledge of the law up to doctorate level.
Stating that the Commissioner of Police in charge of Legal Department, Mr. Sanome Akpofure had constantly briefed him on the challenges and plans to uplift the legal department, the IG said, “I can assure you that the legal department will henceforth, be prioritised under my leadership scheme and the welfare of lawyers in the Nigeria Police as well as funding concerns which have been demotivating factors in their activities shall be addressed henceforth.
“My idea is to have a Police force that embodies the values of fairness, justice and equity. This is informed by the reality that policing activities in a democratic society require accountability which is indeed demanded by an increasing enlightened and diverse citizenry.”
