Police, NBA Move To End Friction, Deepen Justice Collaboration

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu and the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have agreed to deepen professional collaboration, improve communication and promote mutual respect between the Police and the legal profession as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria's justice system. The agreement was reached on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, when the NBA President, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, led members of the Association's National Executive Committee on a courtesy visit to the IGP at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. Speaking during the visit, the NBA President called for closer cooperation between the Police and the Bar, particularly through specialised training for lawyers and stronger engagement between Police lawyers and members of the wider legal profession. Badejo-Okusanya stressed that both institutions have complementary responsibilities within the justice system and urged an end to recurring confrontations between lawyers and Police officers. She said the NBA must remain responsive to the concerns of its members across the country while promoting constructive engagement with law-enforcement institutions. The NBA President also highlighted a UNICEF-supported initiative focused on improving children's access to justice. Under the proposal, the NBA is advocating the deployment of a Police lawyer to every Police station to provide appropriate legal support to children who come into contact with the juvenile justice system. According to her, the initiative would help ensure that vulnerable children receive adequate protection and support throughout the justice process. Responding, IGP Disu congratulated Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, on her emergence as NBA President, describing the visit as an opportunity to establish a stronger and more structured partnership between the Nigeria Police Force and the legal profession. The IGP emphasised that respect for individuals, institutions and professions must remain central to professional interactions. He noted that although lawyers are primarily concerned with protecting citizens' rights while the Police are constitutionally mandated to protect lives and property, the responsibilities of both professions ultimately converge in the administration of justice. Disu also urged greater professionalism and responsibility in the recording and dissemination of encounters involving Police officers, cautioning against turning the demanding realities of policing into social-media entertainment. He stressed that Police personnel should not be subjected to ridicule or have the difficult circumstances under which they discharge their constitutional responsibilities trivialised. The IGP identified improved professional engagement, measures to reduce delays in criminal trials and the establishment of a dedicated NPF/NBA communication and liaison mechanism as priority areas for sustained cooperation. According to him, such a platform would provide a structured channel for addressing professional concerns, improving coordination and resolving disputes before they degenerate 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, maintained that such differences must be resolved with professionalism, civility and mutual respect, while expressing his readiness to work with the new NBA leadership to build a stronger and more productive relationship. The Inspector-General reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to working with the NBA and other justice-sector stakeholders to protect fundamental rights, improve access to justice, promote professionalism and build a more effective, responsive and trusted criminal justice.